hello linkJohn Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology & Obstetrics (JHEPIGO) has been working in Pakistan since 1997 when it provided technical assistance under series of maternal & reproductive health projects funded by USAID. It is mainly supporting the health sector in the area of family planning with the aim to promote maternal & child health.

Maternal and Child Survival Program  (MCSP)
MCSP is working in collaboration with the Pakistan government to help the country achieve its ambitious Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) goals. Its aim is to increase access to family planning services within the three provinces of Pakistan namely Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, especially with regards to Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs). The main objectives of MCSP Program are as follows: 

• Strengthening and Institutionalizing Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) by increasing access and developing capacity of the healthcare providers.
• Strengthening the monitoring and supportive supervision by ensuring the effective implementation of voluntarism and informed choice at provincial and districts levels. 

Activities Planned for Punjab Guided by the Project Objectives :

• Contribution in activities implemented by FP2020 and FP Task force by aligning activities with their priority areas.
• Development of training mechanism on Family Planning to ensure sustainability of capacity building outcomes on various FP learning packages
• Development of 10 master trainers on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) by utilizing the existing Family Planning Training Units established under Packard and HANIF. Furthermore, two FPTUs are likely to be established in accordance with the training needs of the province
• Development of 144 Trainers from all districts of the province (from DoH & PWD) on LARCs and support government in trickling down step down trainings of 120 service providers from Department of Health and Population Welfare Department.
• Facilitating the provincial governments in crafting operational plans for sustainable utilization of these sites in order to make them functional even after the culmination of the project 
• Standardization of the Learning Resource Packages on Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives to ensure quality of FP materials.
• Development of a FP Quality Manual incorporating updated information from Medical Eligibility Criteria 2015
• Development of Post-Partum Family Planning Strategy for the Government of Punjab
• Desk and Field Reviews to learn about the existing policies and procedures for the provision of high quality family planning services, especially whether the methods voluntary and informed choice are included 
• Formulating a Plan of Action following the review exercise and disseminating it among the stakeholders. 
• Developing a Provincial Quality Oversight Committee to monitor compliance with the elements of quality of care in provision of family planning services, especially after the updated quality manual.
• Placement of Quality Improvement Mechanism through an advisory group at the district level
• Training of monitors and supportive supervisors on Monitoring Checklist after incorporation of some technical and compliance monitoring guidelines
• Joint supportive supervision to be carried out on monthly basis to assist the supervisors on the learnt supervisory skills
• Sharing of Quarterly Project progress with the stakeholders at Population Welfare and Health Departments of Punjab

Role of PSPU

• Coordination and Collaboration with DOH, PWD, Planning and Development Departments, project partners and technical agencies for Formation of Technical Working Group for Punjab. This Group will provide facilitation in the following: 
  • Review & finalization of Provincial Family Planning Standards for Punjab.
  • Development of Postpartum Family Planning Strategy for Punjab.
  • Increased emphasis on FP Compliance
  • Development of a performance indicators checklist with respect to Quality Control and Supportive Supervision to streamline joint monitoring process with DOH and PWD. 
• Support in development of 10 Provincial Master Trainers in Punjab on LARCs
• Support in development of a pool of 144 District Trainers on LARCs who will carry out their subsequent activities in all districts of Punjab.
• Capacity building of service providers from DOH & PWD on LARCs in District Sheikhupura.