The Lagos State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has officially launched the SWIFT Project a comprehensive initiative aimed at enhancing women’s health and promoting socioeconomic empowerment across the state.
The launch took place during a stakeholders’ inception meeting held on Wednesday in Lagos, themed: “Increasing Women’s Access to Family Planning Through Pharmacies and Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors.”
SWIFT, which stands for Strengthening Women’s Initiatives for Family Planning and Technology, is a multi-sectoral initiative designed to expand access to reproductive healthcare. It integrates digital innovation, financial literacy, and health technology, with a focus on delivering services through pharmacies and patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs), particularly in underserved communities.
Speaking at the event, Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, highlighted that despite progress in healthcare delivery in Lagos, many women and girls especially those in low-resource areas still face significant barriers to accessing modern contraceptive methods. These include distance, cost, stigma, and a lack of trained healthcare professionals.
Ogunyemi emphasized that the SWIFT Project aligns with the state government’s THEMES+ development agenda, particularly in promoting universal health coverage and strengthening public-private healthcare partnerships. She praised all collaborating partners for championing community-focused solutions and extended special appreciation to the Gates Foundation for its ongoing commitment to advancing women’s health.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye described family planning as a vital development tool that can lead to better health outcomes, family stability, and poverty reduction.
He noted that SWIFT builds upon the achievements of SFH’s earlier Integral Project, by equipping healthcare providers with the tools and training necessary to deliver high-quality services.
