“Postpartum and post-miscarriage family planning in 6 health facilities in Pakistan” is a project aimed at increasing access to voluntary contraception and improving the quality of emergency labour, pregnancy and newborn care. In line with this objective, women are given the opportunity to receive long-acting reversible contraceptives directly following delivery or miscarriage and before being discharged from the hospital. This ensures that contraceptive needs are met and saves women an additional visit to the hospital. To improve the quality of care, doctors, nurses and midwives are trained in family planning counselling, service delivery, and emergency obstetric and newborn care.
Emphasis is placed in this project on the provision of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARCS) such as IUCD and hormonal implant insertion. Short-acting and temporary methods are also counselled and provided in response to the need for informed choice. Women interested in reducing unintended pregnancies and health systems focused on reducing unmet need share these priorities. All contraceptives provided are safe, effective and demonstrated to be culturally appropriate for the project area.
A Pilot Project for Replication by Clubs
Post-partum and post-miscarriage family planning is a project concept that can be easily adapted to fit local contexts and is ideal for further replication by clubs and districts around the world. The small-scale nature of the project enables clubs to make a significant impact in Maternal and Child Health – whether alone or in cooperation with other clubs – without the need for external financial support.
Family planning was established as a human right in 1968, but over 200 million women remain without access to services.
RFPD is available to provide assistance and consultation on replication. Inquiries can be sent to Günter Lang (guenter.lang@g-l-c.de), RC Ludwigshafen-Rheinschanze and Shahida Zaidi (z.shahida@gmail.com), RC Karachi Cosmopolitan.
Photo Credit: Sadia Zaidi
Key Data
Project Area: Six health facilities in District 3271, Pakistan
Objectives: 1) Increase access to voluntary family planning services, 2) Provide training in quality service provision and emergency care
Time frame: 2018 - 2019
Follow-up period: 2019 - 2020
Budget: $46,500
Host club: RC Karachi Cosmopolitan (District 3271)
International partner: RC Ludwigshafen-Rheinschanze, Germany (District 1860)
Implementing partner: Association for Mothers and Newborns
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Contribution: 3.1, 3.2, 3.7, 4.4, 5.6, 17.9
Results:
· One hundred and eleven (111) healthcare providers trained
· Postpartum and post-miscarriage contraceptive uptake increase from less than 1% to between 2 – 13% over six months
· A total of 532 women (515 postpartum and 17 post-miscarriage) received a long-acting reversible or permanent method. |
