Reproductive Health Programme
Programme Summary
I. Basic data
|
II. Project / program description
- Objectives
- To support countries in policy and strategy development as well as planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation of activities with regard to information and health care needs of their people, focussing on mothers and newborns, adolescents and adults of both sexes in the area of sexual and reproductive health; (see Reproductive Health Strategy for the African Region, 1998-2007, para 25)
- To mainstream gender considerations in all national health development programmes
- Activities / contents
The WHO Regional Office for Africa, in collaboration with member states and other partners has developed a regional strategy on reproductive health for the period of 1998-2007. This strategy was fully endorsed by the Health Ministers at the 47th Session of the Regional Committee for Africa in September 1997. It has also been disseminated to all countries for adaptation and phased implementation within the ongoing health sector reforms with a view to empowering the under-served groups and the communities.
As a result, and according to its mandate, WHO/AFRO will continue to provide technical support and guidance to the Ministry of Health in the Member States and to other health-related sectors, focussing on the following areas:- Advocacy and social mobilization for a clear understanding of the reproductive heath;
- Advocacy and social mobilization for a clear understanding of the reproductive health concept;
- Building a broad consensus about reproductive health through the involvement of all stake holders, including the communities and all interested parties;
- Evidence-based priority-setting, policy and strategy development;
- Design and development of a comprehensive package of interventions based on identified needs, such as the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality, reduction of gender-based violence and harmful practices, etc.;
- Support to the implementation of activities in countries and promotion of networking and exchange of experiences among countries through South-South cooperation;
- Mobilization of human and financial resources for institutional and capacity-building;
- Development of appropriate indicators to monitor the progress and changes at the individual, family and community levels and the country as a whole;
- Promotion of research to increase the knowledge base on the determinants of sexual and reproductive health and use of evidence-based information for policy and decision-making:
- Expected outcomes / impacts
- The quality of reproductive health services will improve and the disease burden and suffering will be reduced;
- Access to information and quality services for adolescents and young people will be improved;
- Women's participation in health and socio-economic development will be enhanced;
- Within the context of health sector reforms, reproductive health programme development will significantly contribute to the strengthening of national health systems;
- Partnerships in reproductive health activities will be strengthened at international, regional and country levels.
- Features in line with the Agenda for Action
All Member States and partners are committed to address reproductive health issues in Sub-Saharan Africa as major contributors to human-centred development.
III. Contact point:
Dr. Ebrahim M. Samba, Regional Director,
(Attention: Division of Health Promotion and Protection)
WHO Regional Office for Africa
(End)
Back to Index