Increase Investments In Reproductive Health Value Chain

Major actors in the reproductive and maternal health commodities services chain have jointly urged government's especially in developing countries to redouble investments funding to procuring quality services to stem deaths at the points of delivery.

They contended that when investments increase, policymakers would engage the private sector, tested systems run appropriately with set timelines and quality services are procured and deployed, many women and children would be spared from the phenomenon of unwarranted deaths.

They appealed to community and religious leaders to join the action by creating greater awareness in their constituencies.

These expositions were made at the 18th General Membership Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) in Brussels, Belgium, on the theme, "Pour Elle," (For Her) on Thursday and was under the auspices of Concept Foundation, PATH and partners.

Dr John W. Townsend, Chair of the Executive Committee of the RHSC, said policy-makers especially finance ministers were noted to be crumbling or minimising funding opportunities in the reproductive health sector thereby subjecting it to stress and inactivity.

Doubling as the Director, Country Strategy of Population Council, USA, he said policy-makers should undertake smart investments in that sector as the benefits would manifest in many folds and eventually improve on the economies of developing countries at large.

"The benefits will accrue to the individual, family, community and country levels, when there is change in the health delivery systems."

Mr Jeffrey L. Jacobs, Director, Product Innovation and Market Access, Merck for Mothers said duty-bearers should ensure quality of products and its availability at the point of need and prioritise women issues through pregnancy journey and after birth.

"I insist infrastructure at the central medical stores are well developed and storage facilities improved, then to the hospital and clinics at the lower levels.

"The value of the private sector and its ability to help government to reach health targets is paramount."

Mr James Mlali, Advocacy Technical Manager, Advance Family Planning at the John Hopkins Centre for Communication Programmes said investment in family planning services would address the high maternal deaths, fertility and dependency rates as well as targeting the youth, giving them quality education to shape and change their behavioural tendencies.

He said "Good governance should underpin this investment."

GNA
By Maxwell Awumah, GNA