The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a wider range of safe and effective contraceptive options, including emergency contraception, longer-lasting implants and potential future methods for men, to expand informed reproductive choices globally.

WHO said in a statement on Wednesday that the expanded options were needed because an estimated 164 million women seeking to delay or avoid pregnancy were not using contraception, highlighting access gaps worldwide.

“The new publication, ‘WHO guidelines on expanding contraceptive options,’ is designed to help countries broaden access to contraceptive methods supported by the best available scientific evidence and enable informed choices globally.

“The guideline provides alternative ways of using existing contraceptive methods, including allowing combined oral contraceptive pills to be taken continuously for up to one year or extended periods of six months.”

According to WHO, the guideline also supports the use of contraceptive implants for up to five years, a recommendation that could reduce replacement procedures, clinic visits and associated costs significantly.

“For emergency contraception, WHO recommends mifepristone as an additional option, to be taken as soon as possible and within five days after unprotected sex, based on evidence supporting safety and effectiveness.

“Mifepristone at doses ranging from 10 to 50 milligrams is likely to be as safe and effective as other established emergency contraceptive methods when used for emergency contraception,” it said.

WHO quoted Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of its Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, as saying contraception should not be treated as one-size-fits-all intervention.

According to Allotey, expanded contraceptive choices should consider convenience, invasiveness, behaviour, reliability and accessibility, enabling people to choose a method, change it when necessary, or discontinue its use freely.

“Expanding contraceptive options also requires identifying methods for which available evidence remains insufficient, noting that further research is needed on the safety of ormeloxifene.

“The guideline recommends against adding quinestrol-containing contraceptive pills to national family planning programmes, citing limited evidence and reports of serious adverse events associated with the method.

“Beyond existing methods, WHO is working to expand contraceptive choices for men, who currently have relatively few methods under their control, principally condoms, withdrawal and vasectomy.

“In spite of the limited number of male-controlled methods, WHO noted that about 30 per cent of couples globally rely on a male method, underscoring the potential importance of expanding options.”

According to the statement, WHO research also challenges assumptions about willingness to use male contraception, with more than 75 per cent of surveyed couples saying they would consider it.

“More than 85 per cent of women surveyed said they would trust their male partners to take responsibility for contraception, according to findings from a cross-sectional study conducted globally.

“To support development of new male contraceptives, WHO has developed its first Target Product Profile, outlining characteristics future methods should meet, including safety, effectiveness, acceptability and affordability,” it said.

According to WHO, the product profile will provide researchers, funders and developers with clearer direction while supporting development of a contraceptive market reflecting people’s needs and preferences.

“Several hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptive methods are currently being researched, with promising candidates in advanced clinical trials, raising the possibility of new reversible male contraceptives becoming available soon.

“We will continue supporting countries to update their policies and family planning programmes in line with the best available scientific evidence and expanded contraceptive options,” WHO said.(NAN)

From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

The Kano State Ministry for Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation (MPPPME) has conducted an inspection of ongoing and newly commenced development projects across Bagwai and Shanono Local Government Areas as part of its continued efforts to ensure quality, compliance, accountability and value for money in the execution of government projects.

The monitoring exercise covered no fewer than 38 projects across the two local government areas, with the technical team of the Ministry assessing the level of implementation, quality of work, adherence to specifications and other relevant contractual requirements.

The inspection team was led by the Honourable Commissioner, Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, who personally inspected the take-off of the Shanono Modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre Project.

The inspection provided an opportunity for the Ministry’s technical team to assess the commencement of the project, review the initial construction activities and engage relevant stakeholders and contractors on the need to adhere strictly to approved specifications, standards and timelines.

Briefing journalists during the inspection, Commissioner Ma’aji Sumaila disclosed that the Kano State Government had awarded contracts worth approximately ₦27.806 billion for the construction of modern ICT and CBT centres across all 44 Local Government Areas of the State.

According to him, the initiative is designed to expand access to digital facilities at the grassroots, strengthen ICT infrastructure and provide students and other residents with improved access to Computer-Based Testing and other digital services.

He explained that the establishment of the centres across the State would contribute to bridging the digital divide between urban and rural communities, while also making e-examinations more accessible and convenient for students, particularly those in underserved areas.

The Commissioner stressed that the Ministry would continue to monitor the projects from commencement through completion to ensure that public funds were judiciously utilised and that projects delivered to communities met the required quality and technical standards.

The MPPPME team had inspected 17 development projects in Bagwai Local Government Area, with a combined contract sum of ₦6,012,384,733.40.

The projects inspected covered various sectors and included the repair of two ARMCO culverts, supply and installation of solar-powered streetlights, renovation of schools, construction of a 5-kilometre dual-carriage road, construction of a neighbourhood security watch office, among other development interventions.

The team also visited the site of a dam project in Bagwai, inspected hand-pump boreholes and assessed several other ongoing projects across the local government area.

During the inspection, the Commissioner and the Ministry’s technical personnel examined the physical progress of the projects and interacted with contractors and other relevant stakeholders, reiterating the importance of delivering projects in accordance with approved designs, specifications, quality standards and contractual obligations.

The inspection is part of the Ministry’s ongoing project monitoring activities aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in public procurement, ensuring value for money and promoting the timely delivery of sustainable infrastructure for the people of Kano State.

The MPPPME, under the leadership of Comrade Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, has continued to intensify field inspections across the State to provide independent technical oversight and ensure that government projects translate into tangible development outcomes for communities.

It was contained in a statement issued by Ministry information officer Sagir Ado Abubukar where it was made available to Journalists.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday, officially flagged off the South East Agro-Development Programme (SEADP), a 200-hectare pilot integrated model farm by the South East Development Commission (SEDC) at Nomeh Unateze, Nkanu East Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State.

The historic event, which marks a significant transition from planning to physical implementation by the Commission, was witnessed by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; Chairman of SEDC, Dr.

Emeka Wogu; Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Mark Okoye; Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, as well as traditional and community leaders and other stakeholders, and community members.

Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai, described the project as an important example of what strategic collaboration between South East states and the Commission can achieve, particularly at a time when food production and economic diversification had become increasingly important.

He noted that the Agro-Development Programme fitted perfectly into the state government’s decision to build 200-hectare modern farm estates in the 260 wards of the state, saying the state’s investment in agriculture connects perfectly with other government projects and the commitment to eradicate poverty in the state by 2031.

The Managing Director/CEO of SEDC, Mr. Okoye, explained that the project was deliberately designed as a development project to redefine how the region approaches agriculture.

Okoye said the project would ultimately be measured by its impact beyond the physical boundaries of the 200-hectare site, stating that the Nomeh Unateze project is intended as a starting point and practical template for the Commission’s wider agricultural and agro-mechanisation interventions across the five states of the South East.

He commended Governor Mbah for his visionary and proactive approach to governance, also expressing his pleasure at the uncommon level of buy-in and support so far demonstrated by Nomeh Unateze.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Momoh, said the objective of the project transcended mere food production.

Chairman of the SEDC, Dr. Wogu, assured that the Commission would continue to work with state governments and other stakeholders to ensure that SEDC’s interventions complement existing development efforts.

“Regional development requires partnership. The Commission cannot and should not work in isolation from the state governments, communities, the private sector and development partners. Our responsibility is to create platforms that connect these stakeholders around opportunities that can generate sustainable economic value for the people of the South East,” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of the community, President General of Nomeh Unataeze, Dr. Chukwudi Anyianuka, described the project as a restoration of the glory of the community, assuring the total community support and ownership of the project.

Community leader and media aide to Enugu State Governor Mbah appreciated President Bola Tinubu for answering the age-long prayers of the people of the South East through the creation of the SEDC to coordinate and speed up the region’s development post-civil war.

The Executive Director, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development (NRARD) at the SEDC, Dr. Clifford Ogbede, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to reviving the agro-industrial revolution that placed the defunct Eastern Region as the fastest-growing economy between 1954 and 1964, courtesy of the late Dr. Michael Okpara’s visionary leadership.