To improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the SEMA Reproductive Health and PharmAccess Foundation, convened a two-day workshop to disseminate the SRH market study findings and co-create an SRH market strategic roadmap. This event was held from August 7 to 8, 2023 at Protea Hotel Ikeja.
The Shaping Equitable Market Access for Reproductive Health (SEMA Reproductive Health) is a new and innovative partnership funded by notable donors — including Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) — incubated by AMREF that aims to transform sexual and reproductive health (SRH) markets in Burkina Faso, Senegal and Nigeria.
Despite commendable investments by the Lagos State Government and partners in the health system, there are still challenges due to the enormous population and high net migration from other states and countries in the demand and supply of SRH commodities. In 2022, SEMA commissioned a market-shaping study to identify SRH market problems with consortium partners — PharmAccess Foundation (lead), Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria and Halcyon Consulting Limited.
With SEMA’s support, Lagos State will develop and implement a six-year SRH market strategy with a diverse assembly of experts, policymakers, and representatives across the public and private sector to confront the prevailing challenges in the reproductive health markets.
The SRH market assessment dissemination and strategy planning workshop commenced with a welcome address from Dr. Folasade Oludara, the Director of Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health. She stated, “As we embrace the SEMA Reproductive Health initiative, the landscape of reproductive health markets in Lagos State unfolds before us, replete with challenges and opportunities. Our collective endeavours are poised to catalyse transformative changes, ensuring that quality SRH services are universally accessible.”
Dr. Victoria Omoera, Reproductive Health Coordinator, Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Amina Ja’afar, Interim Nigeria Country Lead of SEMA, gave insights into the initiative’s significance and urgency to catalyse transformative changes within reproductive health markets.
Dr. Adetayo Adewoyin, Project Manager SafeCare, PharmAccess Foundation, gave a presentation elucidating the assessment’s findings on priority shortcomings and recommendations. The ensuing plenary deliberations underscored solutions to address gaps and inefficiencies within the SRH market. Mr. Sunday Mgbejume, PharmAccess Consultant, asserted, “The six-year SRH market strategy will provide the roadmap for improving commodity security in Lagos.”
The Lagos State Government has recorded some achievements, such as integrating family planning services in the state health insurance scheme, early adoption of new SRH products and quality of family planning services; however, substantial voids in consumer demand persist due to weak coordination of demand generation and limited data insights. Stakeholders are optimistic that implementing the six-year SRH market strategy will foster a robust and resilient reproductive health market in Lagos State.
