Paradigm shift from Family Planning (FP) to Reproductive Health (RH): Is it a challenge or a dilemma? Three main managerial fears were associated with such paradigm shift: 1- Fragmentation of funding, 2- Marginalization of family planning , 3- All or none policy: provide all RH services or none. In addition, resistance to change from inside the health organizations to such paradigm shift might be more than from outside. As a recommendation of the first national RH conference, Ministry of Health (MOH) and Assiut University in Egypt have jointly developed a Model for the paradigm shift from FP to RH. The main features of the model are replicability, partnership, GIS/MIS, integration and decentralization. Given the limited allocated resources, setting priorities among the different reproductive health components became a must. Three criteria were used to set the priorities: severity of the problem, magnitude of the problem and the social and human rights effects. Six categories were involved in setting priorities in RH: MOH, NGOs, Youth Leaders, Universities and Research Centers, Religious Leaders and Community Leaders. Different priorities and integrated plans of action were developed by the six categories. Some of the lessons learned: Do not try to change everything at once, Error is essential and Managers might lose sight of the change’s objectives in terms of daily work performance.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1- List the different components of reproductive health from an Egyptian perspective. 2- Recognize the process of setting priorities for reproductive health components in an Egyptian context. 3- Identify the challenges of applying the reproductive health concepts in Egypt. 4- Discuss the recommendations of the First National Reproductive Health Conference in Egypt
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Family Planning
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.