The Federal government, leveraging on the existing functional primary health facilities in the country,  has said it is increasing health facilities providing family planning services to 20,000 in recognition of its implications for people’s wellbeing.

As World population day is observed tomorrow, explosion of unwanted pregnancies and child birth has been predicted by medical experts as a result of COVID-19 pandemic that has led to lockdown and decreased access to family planning supplies.

World population day is an annual event observed on July 11 every year, which seeks to raise awareness of global population issues. The event was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989.

Appeal has been made to the Delta State Government for quick release of the fund earmarked for Family Planning Services for effective sustenance of the services across the state.

The Chairperson, Advocacy Core Group for family planning, Barr. Rachael Obodo Obunseli made the appeal during a media chat on the theme "Family Planning Budget Line Release; The great Imperative in Delta State."

Authorities at the federal and state levels have been alerted on the urgent need to scale up efforts to arrest unmanageable population growth that might arise as a result of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

This could be done through increased annual health budgetary provision backed by family planning allocation releases.

Mrs. Rachael Obodo-Obunseli, the Chairperson Family Planning Advocacy Core Group in Delta State stated this at a media roundtable in Asaba at the weekend, with the theme, "Family Planning Budget Line Release: The Great Imperative in Delta State".