Catalysts of public-private partnership to improve use access to and use of FP products and services at the primary care and community levels in Ukraine

A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) was used to bring together the USAID Together for Health project (TfH), the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (MOH), and seven private sector partners (PSPs). This PPP aimed at increasing the use of modern family planning (FP) services through three main activities: strengthening knowledge/skills of service providers; improving awareness of population; and increasing local government's commitment. TfH and MOH facilitated capacity building activities for health professionals on modern counseling. MOH and regional health departments were encouraged to adopt key regulations for improving the quality of care and procure FP supplies. PSPs supported clinical follow-up with evidence-based medical information. Behavior change communication events were organized by the TfH and PSPs at public places and universities.

The PPP mobilized about $16 million with one-third of the contribution coming from PSPs and MOH .The project's baseline (2006-2007) and endline (2009-2010) assessments in 9 regions showed the following results: proportion of clients (N≈3,000) and providers (N≈500) with positive attitudes increased by 10% and respectively by 8%; percentage of health facilities (N≈200) with free contraceptives available increased from 28% to 60%; availability of selected mid-priced hormonal contraceptives grew by 17% in surveyed pharmacies (N≈428). Use of modern contraceptives increased, as 361,000 new couples reported using free supplies.

In a middle-income country private and public sector resources can be “mixed” to improve provision of FP services. Ukraine feature of PPP success include long-term vision of cooperation; constant dialogue to identifying interests of partners and appropriate activities; and monitoring the PPP effectiveness.