The Association of Catholic Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (ACMPN) has reaffirmed its commitment to natural methods of family planning, urging the Federal Ministry of Health to adopt and promote these as the most ethical and effective approach nationwide.
The stance was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the ACMPN’s 19th Annual Scientific Conference and General Meeting, held recently in Jos, Plateau State.
The document, jointly signed by the National President, Professor Hadiza Abigail Agbo, and the National Secretary, Dr James Ojile, was made public on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra State.
Themed “Dwindling Moral Practices: A Call to Action,” the conference examined various ethical, medical, and social challenges facing Nigerian society.
In the communiqué, the association strongly advocated for the national adoption of NaProTechnology, a natural, scientifically-based method of reproductive health care and family planning.
It called on Catholic doctors to deepen their knowledge of NaProTechnology and abstain from any practice that might lead to the termination of human life.
Read Also: Nigerian Government Launches Training to Boost Workforce Standards
Moral Erosion and Ethical Concerns
The ACMPN raised the alarm over what it described as the rapid erosion of moral values, highlighting issues such as the commercialisation of healthcare, illegal organ harvesting, and a widespread disregard for human dignity.
The association urged the Catholic Church to step up efforts in moral and spiritual renewal, particularly among the youth, and to strengthen initiatives aimed at addressing poverty, which it identified as a key driver of social instability.
Warning Against GMO Dependence
Another focal point of the communiqué was the group’s concern over the growing use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in agriculture.
While acknowledging the benefits of biotechnological advancement, the ACMPN warned against the risks posed by non-replantable GMO seeds, noting that such dependency could lead to a form of “agricultural enslavement” and jeopardise food sovereignty.
“National health cannot be protected if control over food production is lost,” the statement added.
Christian Marriage and Inheritance Rights
The association also addressed issues related to marriage, wills, and inheritance within Christian families.
It emphasised that while legal (court) weddings offer legal protections, they should not be viewed as a substitute for the sacramental commitment of a Christian marriage.
The group called on the Church’s Marriage Commission and Laity Council to initiate nationwide awareness campaigns on inheritance rights, particularly to safeguard spouses and children after the death of a breadwinner.
Mentorship and Medical Ethics
The ACMPN further urged its members to take on mentorship roles for young medical students, stressing the importance of cultivating a new generation of healthcare professionals grounded in moral integrity and ethical responsibility.
The association reiterated its dedication to upholding Catholic medical ethics, defending human life, and promoting faith-based solutions to Nigeria’s public health challenges.