Service Guidance Centres

Transcription

1 SGC WHO/RHR/HRP/05.04 A strategy for strengthening technical capacity in reproductive health in developing countries Service Guidance Centres UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) Family and Community Health (FCH) World Health Organization

2 Photo credits: Cover design and layout: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs Stephanie Suhowatsky, MNH Program Aimee Centivany Teresa Harmand

3 A strategy for strengthening technical capacity in reproductive health in developing countries Service Guidance Centres UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) Family and Community Health (FCH) World Health Organization

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5 1 Background Reproductive health is fundamental to the social and economic development of communities and nations, and is at the core of human development. In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) outlined a Programme of Action that urged the world community to embrace a more holistic and comprehensive approach to reproductive health. In spite of the substantial progress made in the implementation of the Programme of Action of ICPD with respect to reproductive health, notable gaps still exist in the adoption of research findings and their operationalization to improve the quality of reproductive health care. The paradigm shift from family planning to a broader reproductive health agenda requires that programmes are supported to find better ways of delivering high quality services, improving the quality of care that is provided, and meeting the diverse needs of users. The generation of research-based evidence and its synthesis into practice guidelines and tools should guide decision-making in health policy, and in the design of prevention and care programmes. The application of this evidence in practice is the crucial challenge faced by governments to ensure access to equitable, cost-efficient, quality services that meet a broad spectrum of reproductive health needs. Sets of guidelines in reproductive health have been developed by the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) in collaboration with partners and relevant experts. The challenge remains to ensure that the guidelines and tools are utilized by policy-makers, programme managers and health care providers in country programmes. RHR promotes and supports the utilization and application of evidence-based recommendations to strengthen reproductive health programmes and service delivery. This strategy is based on the recognition of the central role of research in the identification of relevant new and improved technologies and their application to promote reproductive health. One of the strategies for achieving this is through 1

6 collaboration with selected centres in developing countries to promote in-country dissemination and application of best practices contained in standard guidelines. 2 Goal To accelerate progress in the attainment of sexual and reproductive health through enhancing use of evidencebased tools and practice guides. 3 Objectives 3.1 Overall objectives The creation of networks of centres of excellence for national and subnational dissemination and promotion of utilization of reproductive health tools and guidelines derived from most current research evidence. 3.2 Specific objectives The systematic introduction of evidence-based guidelines and tools developed to improve reproductive health The systematic introduction of the application of researchderived knowledge in developing and strengthening reproductive health programmes, including adaptation and/or adoption of updated practice guides.

7 4 Role of centres Centres of excellence will be expected to carry out the following functions: 4.1 Advocacy and promotion of best practices in sexual and reproductive health (among decision-makers, service providers, communities and other relevant stakeholders). 4.2 Local adaptation for national/subnational implementation of practice guidelines and research recommendations formulated by RHR and its partners. 4.3 Provision of training updates on best practices and WHO norms and standards in relevant sexual and reproductive health areas, such as family planning, sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections, maternal and newborn health, among others. 4.4 Assistance with the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of programmes developed to improve sexual and reproductive health. 5 Linkages and criteria Centres should demonstrate capacity to act as a national resource for promoting best practices in sexual and reproductive health and to be responsive to national reproductive health service delivery needs. 5.1 Centres should establish or have well-established linkages with national reproductive health programme managers, service providers and policy-makers. 3

8 5.2 Centres should have (or establish) working relationships and/ or networks with local professional societies, such as those for obstetrics and gynaecology, midwifery and public health. 5.3 Centres should involve, as much as possible, leading national NGOs, community advisory groups, local reproductive health donors and collaborating agencies. 6 Eligibility 6.1 Potential centres of excellence (or networks of such centres) with the above characteristics should have demonstrated expertise or proficiency in a relevant reproductive health area which will be assessed through completion of a standard RHR institutional profile form. 6.2 Centres which have previously been recipients of WHO/HRP Long-term Institutional Development (LID) grants or collaborated in other research and development projects are particularly encouraged to apply. 6.3 Centres should submit, together with an institutional profile form, a letter of intent describing their plan for the effective execution of the roles described above, highlighting, in particular, how they intend to fulfil the roles of a Service Guidance Centre and their budget for the proposed functions. Funds available for such grants would normally not exceed US$30,000 per year and need a justified budget and work plan. 4

9 Contact information This announcement is issued by the Office of the Director, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization. For details on institutional profile forms and possible areas of focus, potential Service Guidance Centres are advised to contact the respective Area Managers for each region: Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe. For further information please write to: Office of the Director Department of Reproductive Health and Research World Health Organization 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland fax: (+41-22)

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