The Tanzania team visited Tema General Hospital in Ghana, and learned how barriers to modern family planning methods include a lack of information, as well as unreliable access to the services, especially in the rural areas. But Ghana has pledged to improve this - and other countries should follow!
Bofa and Sheila have a lot in common, and it is not just because they are both expecting babies and are hoping to give birth to girls this time. In previous deliveries they both had sons and both wish to have at least four children in their lifetime. But what striked me most is the fact that they both do not use modern family planning methods.“I use natural method” was the answer each gave me separately when I was chatting with them at the General Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Choice Vs KnowledgeIt was as if I was listening to a woman in Mara, Rukwa, Iringa or any other region in Tanzania, where use of modern family planning is very low. I have heard reasons: some argue there is not enough information on modern family planning methods while others complain about unreliable access to the services, especially in the rural areas. Of course women have a choice to decide which method they use to space their children, but it is important to make informed choices due to a link between maternal survival and family planning.Laughingly Bofa told me that she saw no need to use the methods because her menstrual cycle is very regular and predictable. On the other hand Sheila had an allergic reaction to family planning pills she had tried to use: "I developed a rash and decided to stop" she told me. While these two have opted not to use the modern family planning methods despite availability of the sevice at the hospital, many women worldwide are not so lucky. According to the United Nations it is estimated that 287,000 maternal deaths in 2010 would be reduced to 213,000 by increasing access to maternal health and family planning commodities.Need Vs AccessNot far from the clinic, I met Emmanuela Agyemang and her new born daughter, in the maternity ward.“I was referred to this hospital when in labour, the baby had not turned into the right position for delivery. Luckily she turned and I delivered normally. I do not want to go through childbirth sometime soon therefore I will see a midwife for advice on family planning," a very cheerful Emmanuela narates to me."I know a few methods but the one on my mind is injection because I am forgetful therefore the pills will not work for me. I would like to be in control and decide when to conceive again.”Next to Emmanuela was Naomi Asante-Aduro with her newborn.“I definitely need to start using family planning, in the near future. I know there are many ways but I do not know which one will work for me. I will have to gather all the information first.”Our government's role for our mothers Emmanuela and Naomi’s need for family planning services can be met if the Government of Ghana’s pledge made at a Summit in 2012 is honoured. And who knows, maybe someday even Sheila and Bofa might decide switch to modern methods, once reached by family planning advocates. The Ghanaian government promised to:
- Make family planning free in the public sectorSupport the private sector to provide services
- Prioritize improved counselling and customer care
- Expand contraceptive choices to include a wider range of long-acting and permanent methods, along with including task shifting options and improvement of post-partum and post-abortion family planning services
- Put in place a comprehensive multi-sectorial program to increase demand for family planning
- Undertake advocacy and communications to improve male involvement, such as the “Real Man” campaign.