Effective implementation of reproductive health services needs to take into account local political, socio-economic, and cultural realities backed by sufficient staff and financial resources. The number of couples in their reproductive years increases by 20 million couples every year, creating a growing demand for reproductive health services (USAID, 1999).
This paper introduces and examines the potential of the “enhanced partnership model” (EPM) of reproductive health services to meet the dual objectives of local sensibilities and global knowledge base. The EPM model is the basis of the Planned Parenthood® Federation of America’s Global Partners Program™, which was launched in 1999 and has so far sponsored 18 partnerships linking local US affiliates and reproductive health programs in the developing world.
The EPM model is based on the following premises:
- Direct provider-to-provider, mutually-beneficial exchanges of programmatic approaches, experiences and lessons learned, is a cost-effective mechanism which allows replication in distant, disparate communities and ultimately improves services and programs in other countries and in the United States.
- Local organizations are able to have the capacity to undertake international work only if a front-load investment is made in the organizations and they are provided with strategic support from a central organization that serves as a nexus of the partnerships.
- Linking individual partnerships into a national network further maximizes the returns on the partnerships, in order to share approaches and lessons learned.
This paper will present the results of the first impact assessment of the first eighteen partnerships based on this model.
See www.plannedparenthood.org/globalLearning Objectives: 1. Discuss a new partnerhsip model to improve reproductive health services in the United States and abroad. 2. Evaluate the benefits or drawbacks of mutually-beneficial, reciprocal partnerships. 3. Assess strengths and potential additions needed to enhance current relationships between domestic and international reproductive health organizations.
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Partnerships
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Planned Parenthood Global Partners
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment