Dr Isaac Shamaki, a gynaecologist, has called on the Federal Government to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of Nigerians, saying it is a significant public health issue.
Shamaki made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.
The Gynecologist said that the government should believe in a nation in which sexual and reproductive health and rights were recognised as fundamental human rights and matters of social justice.
According to him, It is time for Nigerians to believe in a world in which sexual and reproductive health needs are addressed and rights of people are fully respected, protected and fulfilled without discrimination of any kind.
“ We can stop this harmful policy and continue creating a nation where everyone has access to the sexual and reproductive health care they need and deserve,” he said.
He said that some women in the country do not reach their full potential because they were constrained by gender norms that affect their sexual and reproductive health.
” It’s time for us as Nigerians to change that,” he said
Shamaki said that a range of adverse outcomes could be prevented by the timely provision of health care before and after emergencies.
He also said that safe pregnancies and childbirth depended on a sufficient number of trained healthcare workers and adequate facilities to provide essential and emergency care.
According to him, comprehensive, high-quality reproductive health care requires input from all sectors: protection, nutrition, education, and community services, as well as health.
He noted that promoting sexual, reproductive health through primary health care at all times, including in emergencies, consists of family planning and comprehensive abortion care.
“It also includes prenatal care, skilled childbirth care; and post-natal care for the mother and baby,” he said.
According to him, in emergencies, communities are the responders and can rapidly identify pregnant women and support them in getting the care they need.
Shamaki called on Nigerian nurses and midwives across the country to continue to provide quality and certified sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, and maternal and newborn health care to Nigerians.