RHInterchange: A tool for implementing reproductive health commodity security

Issues: Throughout the world, reproductive health programs are facing a growing crisis as a result of lack of supplies essential for HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, contraception, and other vital sexual and reproductive health care services. Decision makers need current data to make evidence-based supply planning decisions and to craft policies that support RH commodity security.

Description: The RHInterchange (rhi.rhsupplies.org) is a web-based information sharing system that consolidates procurement data from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The RHI seeks to address the need for better coordination and management of commodity programs by capturing in a single system reproductive health supply information from these three major donors. The RHInterchange should interest managers of in-country programs, researchers, advocates, and both donor and host country government officials, as a means to monitor their programs more efficiently, inform resource allocation decisions, and substantiate advocacy for RH supplies.

Lessons Learned: Among other uses, the RHI has been accessed by technical assistance providers to give a country a fuller picture of its supply situation and by donors, countries, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) as a source of data and evidence to inform advocacy messages.

Recommendations: Future plans for the RHI include capturing current data from other major donors, public-sector providers, multi- and bilateral agencies, NGOs, and governments so as to guide program planning and extend the reach of existing funding by reducing inefficiencies.