MPs PETITION GOVT ON FAMILY PLANING

By The Cosmas Pahalah Dar es Salaam. A group of lawmakers have petitioned the government to give family planning activities the weight it deserves in the national development plan. At least 14, out of 18 MPs who form the Parliament Family Planning Club, are concerned that the government has neglected the issue in its five-year development blueprint as well as long term development vision which the country has adopted. In the petition, a copy of which has been seen by The Citizen, the MPs ask the government to set aside enough funds, for financing family planning activities, like it has done with other undertakings covered by the development plan. They have warned that the government would be neglecting family planning at its own peril as failure to finance the sub sector would have adverse effects on the nation and its people. They noted also that financing family planning adequately would enable the government to save colossal amounts of money and complement its other endeavours. In the petition signed by the group chairperson, Ms Jenista Mhagama (Peramiho-CCM), they note that according to the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) in every Sh1,585 (about $1) which the country invests in family planning services, it saves Sh49,135 (about $30). Other lawmakers who have signed the petition are Ms Margareth Sitta, Albert Ntabaliba, John Mnyika, Christina Lissu, Khalifa Suleiman Khalifa, Dr Mary Mwanjelwa, Juma Sururu, Haroub Shamis, Mkiwa Kimwanga, Rosweeter Kasilika, Mtutura Mtutura and Betty Machangu. The Club members who did not sign the petition are Dr Faustine Ndugulile, Shawana Hassan, Livingstone Lusinde and Pindi Chana. The MPs are concerned that as opposed to other activities in the development plan, no funding has been set aside for financing family planning activities. “This does not reflect on the good spirit contained in other government plans to address issues surrounding family planning,” reads part of the petition