Improving access to quality family planning services in Nepal and Sri Lanka

Insights from a South-South learning exchange

Bibliographic Data

ID21880142
AuthorsRita Kabra (0000-0001-6595-2035, World Health Organization, corresponding author), Manjula Danansuriya (0000-0001-5652-7483, NPO- Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Colombo, Sri Lanka), Loshan Moonesinghe (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine), Chithramalee De Silva (Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine), Chandani Anoma Jayathilaka (0000-0002-0606-2216, World Health Organization Regional Office for South-East Asia), Komal Preet Allagh (0000-0002-6272-2135, World Health Organization), Pooja Pradhan (NPO-Family Health, Gender and Life Course, World Health Organisation, Kathmandu, Nepal), Isotta Triulzi (0000-0002-1421-7863, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna), James Kiarie (0000-0003-4180-7858, World Health Organization)
Year2022
Volume7
Issue5
Pagese008691
Publication date2022-05-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMJ Global Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2059-7908 • E-ISSN: 2059-7908
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bmjgh-2022-008691
PMID35568397
OpenAlexW4280537096
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited3

Nepal and Sri Lanka ministries of health shared best practices and learnings, in a South-South learning exchange (SSLE) to improve access to quality and rights-based family planning services. The SSLE between the two countries followed a five-step methodology designed by the WHO, under the Family Planning Accelerator project. SSLE between the two countries started in January 2020 and is still continuing. Both countries started implementation of the learnings (step 4) at the time of preparing this manuscript (December 2021). An independent consultant from Sri Lanka carried out an evaluation, to inform future SSLEs. The evaluation included a desk review on SSLE and family planning in both countries and key informant interviews with Sri Lanka Ministries Health, WHO CO, external partners. A final evaluation of the outcomes/impact is planned in December 2022. The SSLE resulted in a systematic cross-country transfer of knowledge and implementation of the learnings. Sri Lanka implemented a web-based system for logistics management of family planning commodities and Nepal commenced implementing integrated family planning services in a decentralised environment using a lifecycle approach to improve postpartum family planning uptake. The success of this SSLE is attributed to the rigorous methodology, country-led designing of the learning agenda and process, extensive communication amongst the teams, a focus on outcomes, commitment and leadership by ministries of health in both countries. Learning and technical assistance needs of countries can be met by SSLE if national contexts, availability of resources are considered

Business · Developing country · Economic growth · Environmental planning · Geography · Political science · Public relations · Sri lanka · Child and Adolescent Health · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Nursing

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