Pendo Mlay

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    CS10.3

    Leading safe choices in Tanzania

    Pendo Mlay1, Alison Fiander2, Emma Simpson2, Nia Shepherd2
    1KCMC, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, 2RCOG, London, UK

    Introduction: Disproportionately, maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa is significantly higher compared to the rest of the world. In Tanzania the estimated number of unsafe abortion is 36 per 1000 women of reproductive age and the National CPR is <34%, while 25% of married women have unmet need for family planning. Provision of effective family planning and postabortal care represents an important strategy to mitigate this maternal health burden. LSC initiative aims at improving access to effective family planning and Comprehensive Postabortion Care. Methods: The programme has three primary goals: first is the promotion of best practice in postpartum family planning (PPFP) and comprehensive postabortion care (CPAC) through development and distribution of Best Practice Papers (BPP); secondly, increasing professional competency in PPFP and CPAC through training and supervision of providers; thirdly, promoting professional respect for providers working in reproductive sexual health through accreditation and certification. A team of local and RCOG experts worked on developing a curriculum using country policy and guidelines, which will be piloted in 4 health facilities in Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam regions.
    Expected outcome: LSC intends to influence policy makers and health care providers to set up a regional framework that will meet contraceptive needs for women during the postpartum and postabortal period. Overall expectation of this initiative is to increase awareness and uptake of effective family planning.
    LSC Progress in Tanzania: March 2016, MOHSW and PPFP stakeholders convened in Dar-es-salaam to discuss PPFP issues and agreed to have a harmonisation meeting early May 2016. This was held in Bagamoyo to harmonise LSC and MOHSW curriculums and as a result, one document will be used to train all HCW in Tanzania with Master training set for July 2016.  Further progress will be presented.