REPORT OF THE EVALUATING TEAM ON THE MOROCCO FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM

ANY MODEST FALL IN THE BIRTH RATE IS MORE THE RESULT OF SOCIAL CHANGE THAN THE EXTENSION OF FAMILY PLANNING. THERE HAS BEEN SLIGHT PROGRESS; HOWEVER, THE BASIC FIGURES ARE SO LOW THAT IT IS MORE APPARENT THAN REAL. IN ADDITION, THE DROP-OUT RATE IN HIGH. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, THERE IS POTENTIAL WITHIN THE IMPRESSIVE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AN EFFECTIVE FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAM. THE PRINCIPAL PROBLEMS ARE: (1)A LACK OF PRIORITY EMPHASIS, (2)AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WHICH FORESTALLS THE POSSIBILITY OF EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, AND (3)INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND TRAINING. THE PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE: (1)THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF MOROCCO (GOM) ASSIGN A HIGH PRIORITY TO FAMILY PLANNING WITHIN ITS INTEGRATED HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM; AND (2)THAT ONLY IF THE GOM ACTS QUICKLY TO INCREASE THE EMPHASIS ON FAMILY PLANNING SHOULD AID ASSIGN A HIGH PRIORITY TO THE REAL NEEDS OF THE PROGRAM. THE EVALUATORS MAKE A TOTAL OF 45 RECOMMENDATIONS ON SUCH THINGS AS MANAGEMENT, NEW METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION, INFORMATION AND EDUCATION, STATUS OF WOMEN, SERVICE DELIVERY, REFERENCE CENTERS, STERILIZATION, AND REDUCTION OF ILLEGAL ABORTIONS.