Encouraging Country-Led Strategies to Ensure Contraceptive Security in Ghana International Conference on Family Planning Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 14 November 2013

BACKGROUND Challenges to ensure commodity security exist, including FP commodities Inter-Agency Coordination Committee for Contraceptive Security (ICC/CS) was created by the MOH in 2002 First national contraceptive security strategic plan adopted by MOH and its partners in 2004, with a current strategic plan (expanded to cover RH commodities) covering Strengths and challenges described in the plan in seven areas from the policy environment to client demand and commodity management

CS STRATEGY KEY OBJECTIVES Influence and improve the policy and sociocultural environment to advocate and support RH and FP commodities and services Strengthen the commitment and capacity of stakeholders at all levels to advocate for and work toward sustained RHCS Advocate for and ensure increased and sustained funding for FP commodities and services

CS STRATEGY KEY OBJECTIVES (2) Strengthen coordination and information sharing among all stakeholders in order to enhance and sustain RHCS Create demand for and increase utilization of high-quality contraceptives Ensure availability of and access to quality contraceptives and other RH commodities at all levels of health care in all sectors (public, private, NGO, and social marketing) Strengthen the national logistics system for FP and other RH commodities.

SIGNIFICANCE CS as a key component in: Achieving the 2015 MDG 5 goal of improving MMR and universal access to RH Reinvigorating the stable CPR Encouraging government’s ownership to sustain the enabling policy environment and propel financing for contraceptives

COUNTRY OWNERSHIP OF THE PROCESS MOH/GHS actively leads— Forecast of commodity requirements and planning of required quantities/shipments Preparation of PPMR (collects, analyzes, and shares national-level stock status and current shipments details with national and global stakeholders) Facilitation of the ICC/CS meetings to share, discuss, and harmonize country-level CS with partners

CS INPUTS, OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES Prompt review of forecast and supply plans Quantification Routine monitoring and sharing of stock status information PPMR Improved FP commodity availability Increased transparency on country stock status Strengthened information sharing nationally and globally to mitigate stock challenges Improved coordination among stakeholders Responsiveness and funding from donors

GHANA CPR FROM 1988 –2011

LESSONS LEARNED Country-led information management among all stakeholders in the different sectors ensures sustainability Reliable user-level data provides measurement of forecast accuracy and increases donor confidence in quantification results Institutionalized supply plan periodic reviews leads to timely responses to changes

LESSONS LEARNED (CONTINUED) Coordinated stakeholders responses to supply chain challenges lead to better planning, flexibility, and timely interventions at all levels Encouraged ownership allows MOH to use information for decisions regarding regional contraceptive supply challenges Transfer of commodities to and from other ECOWAS countries

CONTINUING CHALLENGES Country-wide supply chain management issues (quality, distribution, information management) Programming – engagement of other populations, task shifting, myths & misconceptions Complete engagement of all multisectorial stakeholders

INSERT GRAPHIC TO ADD PHOTO Country-led interventions lead to improved CS Improved CS leads to satisfied clients Satisfied clients mean a happy nation CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Ministry of Health Ghana Health Service ICC/CS Members USAID|DELIVER PROJECT Thank you for your interest and attention