The Jharkhand state government in India has released 5.5 million rupees ($83,800) to procure instruments necessary for the provision of quality family planning services. In July the government issued directives to all 24 districts to procure instruments for services including non-surgical vasectomy, intrauterine contraceptive device insertion, and mini-laparotomy (a common form of tubal ligation.)
A May-June 2016 assessment of health facilities in Jharkhand’s Bokaro and Ranchi districts by Advance Family Planning local partner Jhpiego India revealed a staggering lack of surgical instruments essential to providing quality access to all family planning methods. The assessment showed that the dearth of proper equipment hampered quality service provision – often increasing clients’ risk of infection following these procedures.
Using their findings to highlight the urgent need for improvement, Jhpiego India advocated to key state and district-level stakeholders and decision-makers to leverage funds through the state’s program implementation plan. After these focused advocacy efforts, the government included and approved the proposal to procure family planning instruments in June 2016.
Having adequate instruments at all health facilities will ensure a consistent standard of quality family planning services and decrease clients’ risk.
Jhpiego is working closely with the state family planning unit and district health officials to ensure and validate the procurement of the necessary family planning instruments across all tiers of district health facilities.