Private sector subproject : Zimbabwe -- final evaluation report : September 1995-August 1997

The subproject included initiatives to increase the role, respectively, of doctors, employers, nurse/midwives, and pharmacies in providing contraceptive services; to increase client demand for private services through the medical aid insurance sector, and then through consumers; and a dialogue between the public and private sectors on the availability to the private sector of appropriately priced commodities. A nationwide information, education, and communication (IEC) campaign was designed to motivate people who can afford to pay to seek services from private providers. Although this subproject is relatively new, some of the strengths of its approach are already evident. Ensuring the availability and affordability of contraceptive commodities was identified as crucial to the success of the subproject; PROFIT identified the factors that prevent appropriately priced contraceptives from being readily available to private providers and developed a strategy to alleviate those obstacles. Also, PROFIT has systematically involved beneficiaries of the subproject in its design, implementation, and evaluation. For example, the pharmacy initiative was developed in conjunction with the Retail Pharmacists" Association, and the work-based initiative was designed by a working group of occupational nurse/midwives responsible for health services offered by companies. Similarly, a working group comprised of private doctors planned the training program for doctors, and focus group discussions were organized with nurse/midwives to identify the opportunities and obstacles for them to expand or establish private practices. This participatory method has ensured that activities have met the needs of beneficiaries, who have eagerly received the project"s services: the number of applicants for the various training workshops has far exceeded the available spaces, and the participants" evaluations of the workshops has repeatedly emphasized their relevance and convenience, as they are held on weekends to accommodate work schedules. Another element that has enhanced the effectiveness of the subproject has been the continuing dialogue between the public and private sectors. Besides the Coordinating Committee, PROFIT has organized other opportunities for continuing this dialogue, including a Commodities Workshop. (Author abstract, modified)