View the latest family planning advocacy news from our partners.
Six districts in Bihar state, India have established district advocacy working groups. The groups—formed for the first time in Araria, Gopalganj, Jehanabad, Kishanganj, Sheohar and Siwan districts—are now initiating strategic advocacy efforts to improve access to quality family planning services in their communities.
The Advance Family Planning (AFP) initiative is increasing its advocacy efforts in India this year, expanding into a new state and pursuing national-level advocacy through the private sector. The India offices of Jhpiego and Pathfinder International will join as AFP’s local partners to support this expansion, which results from a recent supplement award.
The Mission Director - National Health Mission Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Amit Kumar Ghosh, issued a directive to expand the roles of 1,500 male health officers in all 75 districts to include counseling for non-scalpel vasectomy. Block Community Program Managers and Health Education and Information Officers will conduct community meetings to dispel the myths and misconceptions related to non-scalpel vasectomy (NSV), prepare monthly plans for Information Education and Communication/Behavior Change Communication, and create a conducive environment for NSV.
On August 7, 2015, Dr. Dileep Kumar, Civil Surgeon and Member Secretary of Jehanabad District Health Society in Bihar, India sent a directive to all local health centers and hospitals to observe “Fixed Day Static Services.” The Jehanabad population now has ready access to quality female sterilization services every Thursday throughout the year, in addition to the spacing methods regularly offered at health centers.
Following advocacy from AFP partner Population Foundation of India (PFI), Mr. Rigzin Samphel, Additional Executive Director, State Innovations in Family Planning Services Agency (SIFPSA), signed a letter on June 5, 2015, to establish district working groups for family planning in three districts of Uttar Pradesh: Agra, Jhansi, and Lucknow. The DWGs will advocate for family planning and provide technical support to districts in identifying gaps and solutions to improve local family planning indicators.
By Mervyn Christian, AFP Program Officer, and Monica Wahengbam, AFP Program Coordinator, India
Last month, Advance Family Planning partner Population Foundation of India (PFI) organized and facilitated an orientation for program managers and directors of Uttar Pradesh’s 18 divisions on conducting a family planning program review. The orientation was the first step in launching quarterly review meetings aimed at strengthening the state’s family planning program; the first round of meetings are scheduled to take place this month.