Population commission to disseminate 2013 NDHS report

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The National Population Commission (NPC) has concluded arrangements for the extensive dissemination of the nationally representative survey of the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) which contained the detailed information on the levels and trends of fertility, family planning, maternal and child health and sexually transmitted infections.

In a welcome address yesterday during opening ceremony of a one day seminar organised for the dissemination of the 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) final report, the Chairman of the NPC, Chief Eze Duruiheoma SAN, said the NDHS 2013 findings which is fourth of its kind since 1999 would be implemented by his agency for the drive of accurate and reliable up-to-date data that would improve health and family planning services in the state and the nation at large.

Chief Eze, who stressed the need for the populace to be served with the compiled report said, the 2013 NDHS was conducted in 40,320 households that were randomly selected in all the states of the federation and the FCT, adding that, women at the age of 15-49 and men of same age were interviewed after which preliminary report was released in October 2013.

“The results of the 2013 shows that more were needed to be done at all levels of governments towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) and indeed to ensure that the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is fully implemented across the nation”, Eze stated.

He called on stakeholders in the health and social sectors to avail themselves of the rare insights offered by the NDHS in the bid to improve the living condition of Nigerians. “Resources for health intervention are scarce and the issues to be addressed are wide-ranging. The 2013 NDHS therefore offers policy-makers in the health and social sectors the resources to guide effectively planning”.

The Chairman further noted that, the success of the 2013 NDHS was made possible by number of organisations comprising United States Agency for International Development in Nigeria (USAID/Nigeria), the Department for International Development through PATHS-2, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the government of Nigeria through the Commission and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Also speaking, the state Governor, AbdulAzeez Yari Abubakar through Acting State Secretary to the Government, Haruna Sallau, has assured all possible cooperation and support towards the attainment of the desired goals that would improve the healthy living of the good people of the state.