A thorough study is needed to evaluate the population’s performances in the application of family planning methods to manage the current high fertility rate as the population is estimated to reach 90 million come 2035.
Stakeholders and senior government policy makers admitted during a roundtable discussion that deliberate and urgent measures are needed to address escalating population growth.
Stakeholders made presentations during an event hosted by the nongovernmental organization, Marie Stopes Tanzania, as it marked its 25th anniversary of service in the country on Friday.
“Intensive research should be carried out on family planning services and practices in the country to establish why slow progress is being made to address the situation,” said the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sport, Prof Elisante Gabriel.
According to him, Tanzanians need to change their mindset towards reproductive health and rights. He called for clear messages and cooperation from all players engaged in family planning campaigns. Prof Gabriel said that as a result of the high population growth, unemployment amongst youth is a time bomb waiting to explode and solutions are needed to curb the situation.
The Executive Secretary in the President’s Office (Planning Commission) Dr Philipo Mpango said there are a lot of controversies surrounding modern family planning methods as some people still believe the methods have a ‘hidden agenda.’ He said contraceptives use is regarded as sinful in some communities while some of the population claim it encourages prostitution and has severe side effects.
Dr Mpango stressed that for better family planning practices information has to be accurate and the population as a whole is in need of sensitisation. Country Director, Marie Stopes, Ms Ulla Muller expressed gratitude to Tanzania for support it has awarded the organization and suggested for the establishment of what she called the ‘demographic dividend’ to spearhead and roll out family planning programmes.
“The demographic change in Tanzania is an issue that includes and goes beyond the health sector with major ramification to the economy and public welfare as a whole and the country needs a national strategy to respond to this change,” she said.
On top of pledging more commitment from Marie Stopes and its entire staff, she appealed for the current level of family planning funding to increase as only 0.006 per cent of the national budget is allocated to family planning.
By PIUS RUGONZIBWA, Tanzania Daily News
