New Project Builds On IntraHealth’S Family Planning Work In Rwanda

Chapel Hill, NC, March 3, 2008—

The global public health organization IntraHealth International is launching a $275,000, 18-month media project to help the Rwandan government strengthen its political and institutional commitment to family planning and reproductive health throughout much of the country, the organization’s president announced today.

Pape Gaye, president and CEO of IntraHealth, said the organization will use the grant from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to engage the Rwandan media to facilitate policy dialogue and strengthen several local institutions that are promoting family planning and reproductive health. “IntraHealth has been actively collaborating with the Rwandan Ministry of Health to rebuild their health care delivery system following the 1994 genocide,” Gaye said. “With this new grant, we will be able to expand and solidify our collaboration with a broader range of local entities, ensuring that our technical support to this dynamic country is even more effective.”

This grant builds on IntraHealth’s current work in Rwanda to strengthen the policy environment for family planning and increase access to family planning services throughout the country. With funds provided by the United States government, IntraHealth has been building the capacity of health facilities and health workers in 23 of the country’s 30 districts to provide a full range of family planning services and information, including long-term and permanent contraceptive methods.

In addition, IntraHealth has been supporting national policy revision, curricula development and the efforts of local authorities to champion family planning.

“Over the last two years, through several innovative practices, we have seen the use of modern family planning methods nearly double in Rwanda,” said Laura Hoemeke, director of the IntraHealth-led Twubakane Decentralization and Health Program in Rwanda. “This initiative will support the growing demand for family planning by fostering the necessary political support to sustain the successes in family planning use.”

Through the Hewlett Foundation, IntraHealth will support legislators and other government officials to engage with their constituents on issues related to population and family planning. IntraHealth will work closely with opinion leaders, policy makers, and journalists to provide education and training on evidenced-based policies and practices, creating a supportive environment for evidence-based decision-making at all levels of the Rwandan government. IntraHealth will also document and disseminate evidence of Rwanda’s successes in population and family planning to date.

For more information about IntraHealth and its projects, please visit www.intrahealth.org or call 919-313-9100.

IntraHealth International has served the public health needs of developing countries for more than a quarter of a century. IntraHealth’s primary mission is to mobilize local talent to create sustainable and accessible health care. With an original focus on women’s and children’s health, IntraHealth’s work has broadened. It now includes innovative approaches to increase access to basic health care, strengthen human resources for health and prevent and treat for HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases.  A not-for-profit organization, IntraHealth has public health projects in more than 25 countries on four continents, with its US office in Chapel Hill, NC.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David Nelson, Communications Manager
IntraHealth International
www.intrahealth.org
(919) 313-9139
dnelson@intrahealth.org