The National Population Commission (NPC) has disclosed that the newly revised National Population Policy (NPP) was projected to, reduce maternal mortality ratio from the current 512 deaths to 100,000 live births (2018 NDHS) to zero maternal deaths by 2030
Chairman, NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra disclosed this in a one-day media engagement workshop in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that the high rate of crime, poverty, unemployment, bedeviling the country is a direct consequence of the lack of implementation of the 1988 National Policy.
Kwarra explained that the Federal Government adopted a National Policy on Population for Development, Unity, Progress and Self-reliance in 1988 but it was not properly implemented due to certain shortcomings. This, he said, led to the current newly revised Policy signed by President Muhammadu Buhari in November, 2021.
He stated that the overall policy goal of the National Population Commission Policy was to improve the Quality of Life and Standards of living of all Nigerians.
Adding that the policy thrust is to achieve sustainable development goal that is anchored on hastening demographic transition that will alter the population age-structure from a child- based population to a youthful population to pave way for harnessing the demographic dividend.
The NPC Boss explained that, to drive this process, emphasis would be focused on deliberate and purposeful family planning, well-articulated and targeted health and related investments in women, adolescents and youths, human capital development fostered by equitable quality education that is responsive to the dynamics of labour markets, supported with skills acquisition/ entrepreneurship, decent employment, access to quality health care services, peace and security.
These investments, Kwarra said, will accelerate economic growth initiated by a rapid decline in fertility and child mortality that will result in a change in the age structure from dominance by child dependents to one dominated by economically productive and quality working-age adults.
Highlighting some of the policy targets, Kwarra said:
“Some of the policy targets include, reduce maternal mortality ratio from the current 512 to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2025 and zero maternal deaths by 2030;
“Reduce unmet need for family planning from the current 19% to zero by 2030;
“Reduce gender based violence and harmful practices against women and girls from the current 46% to 22% in 2025 and to zero by 2030;
“Reduce Rural to Urban migration by 5% yearly”, he said.
Stressing the importance of the National Population Policy, The Coordinator of African Health Budget Network (AHBN), Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, noted that it would be impossible to achieve the country’s Family Planning 2030 target without it.
He therefore encouraged the media to embrace the Policy, adding that, his organisation was fully committed to supporting the NPC and also the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that the country achieved her 2030 target population.
