London summit to focus on investing in Family Planning

The London summit on Family Planning that will take place on July 11, will seek more investment in Family planning to reduce maternal deaths and improve women, girls’ health, according to Rwanda’s Minister of Health, Agnes Binagwaho, who will be attending the conference.The international Summit will launch a global movement to give an added 120 million women in the world’s poorest countries, access family planning information, services and supplies by 2020. This will enable these women and girls to make choices whether, when and how many children to have, after being equipped with services, information and supplies regarding family planning.According to Binagwaho, this conference will create momentum concerning Family Planning issues and highlight the need to invest in Family planning in order to reduce maternal deaths.“Once Family planning needs are met, it will make it easier to meet the Millennium Development goals of MDG 4 and 5. Family planning is one of the most effectual methods for improving maternal and child health. Child mortality rate will reduce and maternal health will also improve,” she said. She noted that Rwanda is making progress in maternal health and improving access to family planning.99 per cent of women and 100 per cent of men in Rwanda know at least one modern method of family planning.According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, 45 per cent of married women and 40 per cent of sexually active unmarried women, use a modern method of family planning.In a recent interview, Thomas Nsengiyumva, a family planning expert with the Ministry of Health, noted that Rwanda’s target is to reach 70 per cent contraceptive use by 2015.He also noted that plans are in progress to train at least three doctors and 10 nurses in each hospital, about Family Planning service provision.According to a statement from White Ribbon Alliance, the London Summit on Family Planning, the global community aims to reduce newborn deaths and improve the health of women and girls, leading to healthier and more prosperous nations.“Today, more than 200 million women in developing countries who don’t want to get pregnant aren’t using modern family planning methods. This is at the root of the biggest health inequity in the world-needless maternal death, 99 per cent of which are in developing countries,” reads the statement in part.

National

London summit to focus on investing in Family Planning