Benefits, Impacts and Requirement of Meeting National MNCH Targets in Nigeria

Presentation at the Global Maternal Newborn Health Conference, October 19, 2015

Background: Nigeria’s poor reproductive health indices have persisted over the past decade with high maternal mortality ratio (500 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) stagnating at 15% and minimal improvement in unmet need for family planning. To improve this condition, the Federal Ministry of Health set an ambitious goal of increasing the CPR 36% and saving 1 million lives by 2018 through other MNCH interventions.  This study evaluated the resources needed to meet this goal as well as its population level impact.

Methodology:  Spectrum® policy modelling software was used to project the resource implication and impact of the national family planning goal. The projections were based on reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health targets set by the National Strategic Health Development Plan, and national health initiatives including the saving one million lives and SURE-P project. Data used were derived from population level health surveys such as National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS), National Population Census figures and Multi-Cluster Indicator Surveys.

Results:  The projection showed that to achieve a contraceptive prevalence rate of 36% by 2018, and additional NGN 4.1 Billion will be invested on commodity procurement and distribution. The quantity of additional contraceptive commodities needed to meet this goal include; 1.2 million condoms, 8.6 million 3-monthly injectable contraceptives, 14,000 IUCD, 83,000 implants and 14 million combined oral pills with impact on number of new users. This additional investment alone will save the lives of an estimated 19,000 WRA and 292,300 under-five.

Conclusion:  This policy analysis will guide the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders in planning and rolling out future family planning programs that are aimed at meeting the national family planning goal. It also identifies the resource needs by methods mix, presents funding gaps and show impacts of family planning investments in Nigeria.