USAID Healthy Families II Quarterly Report October - December 2015

The project began on October 1, 2013, and ended on February 15, 2016, with activities concluding on January 31, 2016. The geographic focus of the project was working with stakeholders based in Luanda, supporting three key advocacy objectives: increased commitment of stakeholders for the drafting of an adolescent and youth sexual reproductive health (AYSRH) strategy, strengthened MOH capacity in contraceptive security and commodity management, and increased commitment of MOH decision makers to allocate sufficient resources to reposition FP, AYSRH, and contraceptive security as national priorities. To achieve these objectives, Pathfinder collaborated with its partners, including UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO, to support the MoH in repositioning AYSRH as a national priority in Angola. The organization advocated with policymakers of the DNSP and DPSL for the design and implementation of policies, strategies, and youth-friendly programs. Pathfinder also supported and actively participated in the development and completion of a national policy on teens' sexual health and reproductive health. Pathfinder conducted activities with two national NGOs to increase awareness and involvement regarding the importance of promoting and implementing actions in support of AYSRH. The organization's support during the project period improved management and distribution of contraceptives, including accurate forecasting and planning of contraceptive needs, as well as proper management of the contraceptive supply chain through the central and provincial warehouse in Luanda. The project's technical work included organizing and facilitating meetings with MSH/SIAPS to develop a plan to transition technical assistance and commodities distribution oversight/support to the DNSP and GPSL. Pathfinder continued technical assistance to GPSL in contraceptive logistics and conducted 5-7 random health facility site visits to improve monitoring and reporting. The organization also supported the completion of the GPSL forecast of contraceptive needs for 2016 using an evidence-based approach of Average Monthly Consumption (AMC). Pathfinder conducted a workshop with all Luanda provinces' logisticians from the municipalities to reinforce the cycle of coordination, training, and supervision to improve the supply chain management. The organization supported local NGOs (CAJ and ANGOBEFA) to finalize their operational plans and supported the MOH to develop a final draft of their National AYSRH Strategy. Pathfinder also continued to build capacity and provide technical assistance activities related to Supply Chain management to DNSP. The project's activities were implemented by Pathfinder staff with USAID support in partnership with the National Directorate of Public Health (DNSP), the Bureau of Public Health of Luanda (GPSL), the Directorate of Medical Procurements (CECOMA), UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA. The project's planned activities and results included transition of senior technical logistics advisor, local NGO AYSRH advocacy and capacity building, and technical and managerial inputs. The project's transition of senior technical logistics advisor involved the work of Sr. Technical Logistics Advisor, John Granda, who finalized the commodities distribution plan for the January to March 2016 quarter and met with USAID and the MOH to ensure a smooth transition to the government with support by MSH, under the SIAPS project. The multi-year forecasting for 2016-2018, developed in close collaboration with DNSP and stakeholders, was finalized. John trained Logistics Assistant, Nelly Musão, to support technical continuity in the final month of activities, January 2016. The project's local NGO AYSRH advocacy and capacity building involved support provided to two local Angolan NGOs – Centro de Apoio dos Jovens (CAJ) and Associação Angolana para o Bem Estar da Familia Angolana (ANGOBEFA). The emphasis was to provide capacity building for AYSRH advocacy efforts. During this quarter, Pathfinder completed the transfer of $12,000 USD for each NGO (CAJ and ANGOBEFA), to support the AYSRH advocacy efforts.