Family planning services

PES covers the period 10/82-6/85 and is based on an attached special evaluation (XD-BAX-424-A). Recommendations in the attached evaluation are divided into three categories. Active intervention by USAID/Z is required for the first group, which includes: clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the National Committee for Desired Births (CNND) and project staff; extension of the project, with redesign if substantial progress is not made in 1 year; financial contribution by the Government of Zaire; and improved functioning of the Project Advisory Council and the Project Coordinating and Management Unit. Further recommendations requiring follow-up by USAID/Z are: (1) audit the project; (2) meet personnel needs by seconding staff from CNND and other government agencies; (3) clarify and reinforce the project director"s role in reviewing, disciplining, and reassigning staff; (4) simplify and standardize procedures for contraceptive resupply; (5) replace expired contraceptives at no cost to the project; (6) strengthen training by adding a checklist of practical clinic procedures, acquiring basic didactic materials, emphasizing management training, and following up on trainees; (7) locate the information, education, and communications program at CNND and share materials developed there with all FP projects; (8) strengthen community outreach by mobilizing volunteers, sending health workers into the community, and sensitizing communities before launching clinics; (9) incorporate all FP units previously supplied by CNND in project cities before expanding to additional cities; (10) improve supervision by providing additional staff, using the existing project supervisory protocol during clinic visits, and encouraging Department of Public Health personnel to play a more active role; (11) simplify and computerize the statistical system; and (12) have CNND compile a statistical report for all FP activities in Zaire and share it with appropriate medical authorities. Several other recommendations not summarized here are useful for the project"s internal workings and should be taken up as part of routine project monitoring.