Community-Based Family Planning and HIV & AIDS Services in Malawi Quarterly Report No. 10

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Malawi Community-based Family Planning and HIV & AIDS Services (CFPHS) project provides an opportunity to assist the Government of Malawi in its efforts to improve the lives of the largest segment of its population, who reside in rural areas. The Management Sciences for Health (MSH) has been working closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to strengthen family planning (FP) services and achieve sustainable results in the USAID-targeted districts. The MSH and its subcontractors, Population Services International (PSI) and Futures Group International (FGI), employ proven technical approaches and tools to work with the MOH and reposition FP and improve access to HIV & AIDS services in rural communities. The project is in line with USAID Malawi's family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) portfolio priorities for the next five years, supporting Malawi's strategic objectives as stated in the Joint Program of Work for the Health Sector-wide Approach (SWAP). To achieve project outcomes, two strategies are employed: creating demand and outreach through behavior change communication (BCC) and community networks, and defining and strengthening the supply and capacity of Community-based Distribution Agents (CBDAs) and providers from health centers, dispensaries, and referral hospitals in both the public and private sectors. Project activities are in keeping with these two strategies, and achievement of project outcomes are being monitored through a selected list of indicators as outlined in the Performance Management Plan (PMP). The project has made significant progress in the quarter, with major achievements including the completion of FrontlineSMS training, CBDA refresher trainings, and HTC counselor quarterly review meetings. The project has also conducted various activities, such as community drama activities, facilitating listeners club activities, and community sensitization open days. Additionally, the project has participated in various program-related meetings and workshops, including the Quarterly Review and Planning Meeting, the RH Technical Exchange Network meeting, and the International AIDS Conference. Despite the progress made, the project has faced several challenges, including challenges related to the supply and capacity of CBDAs and providers, as well as challenges related to the integration of FP and HIV & AIDS services. The project has also faced challenges related to the implementation of the Standard Days Method and the supervision of community-based organizations. The project has also made progress in the development of the Ceiling Increase Work Plan and Budget, and has participated in the PEPFAR meeting and the Sexual and Reproductive Health TWG meeting. The project has also submitted an abstract for the International AIDS Conference and has participated in the launch of RAPID.