Family planning funds to rise 10pc yearly
DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has committed to increase domestic funding for family planning commodities by at least 10 per cent annually as part of efforts to strengthen reproductive health services and support the implementation of Dira 2050.
The commitment was announced yesterday in Dar es Salaam during the commemoration of World Contraception Day by the Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services in the Ministry of Health, Ms Ziada Sela, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Dr Grace Magembe.
She said family planning remains a key investment in people’s health, family welfare and national development, enabling families to make informed decisions on the number of children they have and the spacing between births.
“Family planning gives families the opportunity to make informed decisions about the number of children they have and the spacing between births, while helping reduce health risks associated with pregnancy,” she said.
She added: “Tanzania’s Family Planning 2030 commitment provides an important foundation for strengthening sustainable domestic financing for family planning, including increasing domestic resources for family planning commodities by at least 10 per cent every year and ensuring allocated funds are fully disbursed.” Ms Sela said strengthening investment in family planning would also accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal Three on good health and wellbeing.
“Expanding access to family planning services is not only a health intervention but also an investment in the country’s human capital and long-term development,” she said.
The event brought together government leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, private sector representatives, professional associations and young people.
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Deputy Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ms Melissa McNeil-Barrett, said family planning should not be viewed solely through the availability of contraceptive products but also through people’s ability to access reliable information and make informed choices.
“Family planning is not only about access to commodities and services. It is also about ensuring people have accurate information, can access those services and are free to make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” she said.
She commended Tanzania for strengthening leadership and increasing domestic investment in reproductive health services, saying sustained commitment would help expand access for women, young people and communities across the country.
“We commend the government of Tanzania for strengthening leadership and increasing domestic investment in family planning commodities and other reproductive health services,” she said.
According to Dira 2050, the country seeks to build a prosperous, self-reliant and high income nation by investing in quality healthcare, human capital development and universal access to essential health services, recognising a healthy population as a foundation for productivity and economic transformation.
World Contraception Day is observed globally every year on September 26 to raise awareness about contraception and enable people, particularly young people, to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.
Established in 2007, this year’s global campaign is themed “A Choice for All – Agency, Intention, Access,” highlighting the need to expand access to accurate information and quality family planning services.
