Population, family planning, and reproductive health (POP IV) : results package no. 263-0267

The RP addresses five specific intermediate results, as noted below. To improve the quality and supply of FP services, the RP will improve: (1) the contraceptive method mix; (2) client volume in existing underutilized facilities; (3) FP-health linkages and referrals; (4) commercial private sector service quality; (5) NGO services; (6) community outreach activities; (7) facilities; (8) standards of practice; (9) the technical skills and motivation of medical staff; and (10) information given to clients. To counteract the decreasing demand for FP services (as evident in the leveling off of the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), the RP will implement: (1) more energetic and modern public information, education and communication (IEC) activities, especially television; (2) a major new high-profile marketing effort using modern, scientific, private sector marketing techniques; (3) expanded interpersonal outreach activities by the government, NGO, and commercial sectors; and (4) efforts to make services more client-friendly. The RP will support the national FP system as it evolves toward a more market-driven, financially self-sufficient fixture by: (1) helping wean the system from USAID-donated contraceptives; (2) establishing a safety-net provision for truly indigent clients; (3) strengthening financial management and planning capabilities of providers; (4) helping providers cut costs and improve efficiency; and (5) working to establish endowments for qualified NGO providers. To help create the conditions for strong, permanent, autonomous institutional support for FP/RH, the RP will: (1) strengthen the human resource base through FP clinical and managerial training programs; (2) support strengthening of management systems in NGOs and Government of Egypt (GOE) providers; (3) support management decentralization; (4) enhance strategic planning and business development capabilities; and (5) selectively upgrade providers" facilities and equipment. To analyze policy constraints and create the most favorable policy and regulatory climate possible, the RP will support: (1) policy research; and (2) advocacy activities with national and local political leadership, the mass media, and the general public. The Results Package will be managed by the team for USAID/Egypt"s Strategic Objective (SO)4, "reduced fertility". Major Egyptian partners include: (1) the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), which will implement the largest component of the RP and assume an overall coordination/advisory function on behalf of the GOE; (2) the Ministry of Information"s State Information Service IEC Center (MOI/SIS); (3) the National Population Council (NPC); (4) the Regional Center for Training (RCT) at Ain Shams University; (5) the Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company (EPTC); and (6) the Clinical Services Improvement (CSI) Subproject. An institutional contractor will provide TA and some commodities, and will directly manage certain components such as support for the commercial private sector. Participant training and some local training support will be provided by USAID/Egypt"s "Development Training II" RP (2630244). Some NGO support will be channeled through a planned USAID/Egypt "NGO Service Center" RP. The RP will be implemented in two phases. Phase I -- the first 5 years -- will support rapid expansion of coverage, improvement of service quality, strengthening of institutions, and lifting key policy constraints. During Phase II -- the second 5 years -- RP emphasis will shift to enabling implementing agencies to attain financial and institutional autonomy. This phase will be formally designed and approved after the strategy period for SO4 is extended and available resources increased. (Author abstract, modified)