There is a need for family planning advocacy in the provinces and rural areas of Papua New Guinea.
That’s from the National Department of Health (NDoH) Family Planning Services (FPS).
Family planning advocacy means to give awareness on the different methods to use to avoid getting pregnant by chance and not by choice.
FPS manager Dr William Lagani told over 50 participants of provincial health workers and partners including Mari Stopes PNG and UNFPA at a family planning meeting in Port Moresby today.
Dr Lagani urged them to be responsible and effectively give awareness on family planning to the villagers in their areas.
He said most of the people live in the villages and family planning advocacy awareness is yet to reach them.
“Our health workers on ground need to go out and visit people but we have problems with logistics and funding.”
“The patrols by health workers and health inspectors are no longer happening due to limited funds and logistics and we need to revive it now,” Dr Lagani said.
Dr Lagani called on local members to assist from their DSIP funds as the delivery of health services is budgeted for through the DSIP funds.
He said the population needs to be educated on family planning to decrease the fatality rate of 4.3 children per family.