Romanian National Family Planning Program: A partners' coordinated effort

BACKGROUND Prior to the fall of communist regimen in 1989, abortions and contraceptives use were illegal. Due to subsequent changes made to these pro-fertility policies in 1990, greater access to contraceptives led to a rapidly increasing use. However, obtaining good quality family planning services and products was still an issue, due to the lack of trained and easy accessible providers, which lead to high rates of abortions and maternal mortality.

DESIGN Since 2001, Romanian Family Health Initiative, project funded by USAID and implemented by JSI R&T Romania, together with other civil society partners, has supported the implementation of Ministry of Health's National Family Planning Program. It aims to increase access to contraceptives mainly in rural areas, and to economically challenged groups, through a “three pillar” approach: train providers; provide information, education and communication materials and insure a consistent supply for free distribution to clients through a Logistics Management Information System.

RESULTS/OUTCOMES LMIS is a useful tool for collecting accurate data through hard copy forms and an internet-based data collecting and reporting application, used for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the program. The supply chain's effectiveness shows in contraceptives forecasting, fostering financial resources allocation, product selection and procurement.

CONCLUSIONS The NFPP represents a successful partnership between government, civil society and international agencies. In fact, it can be considered among the main factors that contribute to an increasing prevalence rate of modern contraceptives (45%, RH Survey 2004) combined with decreasing abortion and maternal mortality rates over the last years.