Sustainability of an International Development Program is often what determines the extend to which a good program is labeled, 5 to 10 years after it is no longer financed by aid funds, as having been effective and successful. Unfortunately, Africa is used to so many projects that were considered good, but have left no trace nor impact less than 5 years after the last disbursement from it's donor. "Sustainability" can't be introduced during implementation of the program/project nor when it is time for the donor to start withdrawing. This presentation will focus on Ipas's experience in Ethiopia to ensure long-term sustainability of the Post abortion care Program it is implementing in 3 regions of the country. It will show how the team, both in terms of training and research & evaluation, has approached and worked with the decentralized health system administration staff and managers to ensure the basis, the pre-requisites for an ownership of the program by it's primary actors: the regional health sector staff and management. The sustainability objective behind the participatory approach to the preparation of the Ethiopia team attending the PAC scale-up meeting has also allowed this group of initially disparate members to form a network that has matured into the Ethiopia PAC Network. Lessons learned from this process will also be presented. This sharing of experience will provide participants with clear guidance on what to avoid when sustainability is a goal, what to look for, and what are the short-term benefits of always starting with that perspective in mind.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to: 1- Describe and apply sustainability criterias and pre-requisites to the development of a Post-Abortion Program in a fairly decentralized developping country. 2- Perceive and exploit the many opportunities that can arise from an activity like the scaling up meeting.
Keywords: Post-Abortion Care, Sustainability
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am an employee of Ipas.