Nigeria’s Lagos State Adopts Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health Guidelines

The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and JSI celebrate Lagos State’s adoption of the National Guidelines on Self-Care for Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health.

Putting people at the center of care means helping them make informed decisions about their health by connecting them with information, resources, and services. In Lagos, Nigeria, JSI recently helped launch the formal adoption of the first National Guidelines on Self-Care for Sexual, Reproductive, and Maternal Health with funding from the Gates Foundation.

Based on the World Health Organization’s self-care guidelines intended to complement health care systems and strengthen primary health care, Nigeria introduced its own guidelines nationally in 2022. They suggest creating an enabling environment for the adoption of self-care using a person-centered approach and evidence-based recommendations.

JSI Country Director Dr. Olawale Durosinmi-Etti thanked the state government for prioritizing Nigerian’s health. “The adoption of the guidelines demonstrates ownership and the readiness for accountability for the health needs of the people of Lagos State,” he said.

The guidelines are also critical to the rollout of DMPA-SC, an easy-to-use self-injectable contraceptive that will help Nigeria expand access to and available choices for high-quality contraception for women and girls. Miranda Buba Atare, JSI Nigeria country lead for the Injectable Access Collaborative project, added that the guidelines can also be used to advocate for further implementation support from funders and investors in the public and private sectors.

The outcomes from Lagos’ bold step to integrate the new guidelines may help other states see the benefits of doing so, including a reduced burden on the state health care system. Nigerian health care providers have reiterated their support and continued responsibility to care for clients while embracing the guidelines as an added layer of care.

Nigeria has disseminated the national self-care guidelines to 25 states, but only Lagos State has begun integrating them with the health care system to meet the needs of its residents. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health and JSI continue to work together to further advocate for the adoption and actualization of the guidelines.