Expert says contraceptive not cancerous as being feared

Dr  Adebimpe Adebiyi, Director, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, has said that contraceptives are not cancerous as is being feared by some Nigerians. She said women should, however, not be placed on any contraceptive method without going through proper tests to ascertain the most suitable method healthy for them. According to her, […]

Dr  Adebimpe Adebiyi, Director, Department of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health, has said that contraceptives are not cancerous as is being feared by some Nigerians.

She said women should, however, not be placed on any contraceptive method without going through proper tests to ascertain the most suitable method healthy for them.

According to her, the use of contraceptives for child spacing is accepted by both Islam and Christianity, contrary to claims by some Nigerians.

“Government has studied and put into consideration religious perspective of family planning. The document on Islamic perspective of family planning is developed by government in collaboration with the Sultan of Sokoto, who heads the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

“The policy was duly signed by the Sultan in collaboration with Islamic clerics who surely know what the Quran says about family planning.

“From the Christian perspective, we have the family planning policy signed by the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“Access to contraceptive services, maternal and newborn health care is critical for women’s health as well as their social and economic well-being,” she said.

Dr Adebiyi said investing on modern contraception, maternal and newborn health care was key to the protection of the rights of women in the country.

According to her, educating the girl-child has significant impact on poverty reduction and could place girls in a better position to demand for their rights.

According to her, it is very important for women living in the rural areas to be informed and educated on their rights, especially with regards to maternal health to enable them demand for quality health care.

She, however, stressed that women should not be the only ones taking up the fight on reproductive rights, adding that men should also be involved.  (NAN)