Background: In June 1995, the concept of a “Minimal Initial Service Package (MISP)”, incorporating basic reproductive health (RH) services to be provided in emergency situations, was initiated. The material resources needed to provide pregnancy, delivery, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) prevention/care, and management of emergencies related to reproductive health, were assembled into a kit, the RH Kit. The RH kit was composed of 12 subkits, each addressing a RH theme. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 18 UNFPA and NGO projects, which had ordered the RH kit for emergency situations between May 1998 and August 1999. The number of kits ordered, their distribution, training, monitoring and suggestions for upgrading of the kits by the country projects were reviewed. Results: A total of 2145 subkits were ordered. The subkit that was most ordered was the midwifery delivery subkit (n=444), followed by the home delivery (n=336) and the STDs care subkits (n=285). Twelve (66%) of the eighteen projects that received the questionnaire responded. The time for the RH kits orders to arrive on the field improved over time. The time it took to complete distribution of the subkits ranged from 0-2 weeks to longer than 2 months. Five projects organized training in the use of the subkits for nurses, doctors, community health workers or traditional birth attendants. Training included delivery, STD care, condom use, post-rape management, contraceptive use and management of complications of abortion. Conclusion: The RH kit represents an opportunity to train for and deliver RH services in emergency situations.
Learning Objectives: Examine the role and discuss the relevance of the reproductive health kit in emergency situations
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Emergency
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: United Nations Population Fund Emergency Relief Operations
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.