Ipas Pakistan’s Post

Nearly two-thirds of global maternal deaths in 2020 occurred in Africa, jeopardising the reproductive health goals outlined in the AU's Agenda 2063 and the #SDGs. Africa CDC is taking steps to change this with targeted actions in adolescent sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn care, and combating gender-based violence. #SRHR #HealthForAll READ MORE - https://lnkd.in/dxCirkXJ

In the last 12 years, I have led a team of healthcare professionals across governmental and non-governmental health sectors with 100s employees in a low-resource setting and volatile terrain to deliver quality healthcare, especially to underserved communities. I developed a 60-paged management protocol for malaria and medical emergencies for a Hospital. I consider my ability to navigate and manage stakeholders successfully through meaningful engagement and institution of timely feedback mechanisms, development of SOPs and Training Modules for the management of skin diseases, participation in project proposal writing that secured over $500 million for the nation, successfully led a novel project “Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of Young Adolescence Living with Disability” (SRHR) an inclusion project, and leveraged resources from a project to carry out interventions for another project happening in the same locality without additional cost, saving my organisation over $50,000 are my most outstanding success stories. Hi, I am Agbo Andrew Ofoma, a public health professional whose superpowers are research, managing projects, relationships, talents, and building capacities and SOPs. My experience spans geographies in the private, public, governmental, and non-governmental health sectors. In the last 5 years as a project lead, I successfully led an inclusion project valued at $150,000. I chaired the SRHR project in Nigeria to completion; I collaborated with community gatekeepers, community youth leaders, and state actors to increase Faith-Based Organizations Tuberculosis case contribution in Niger state from a mere 2% to a commendable 21% within 15 months, built the capacities of field staff on case finding which resulted in a substantial 75% improvement in carrying out community interventions.   Some of my accomplishments include: ·   Trained 144 LGA supervisors, 240 Linkage Coordinators, 560 DOTS officers, and 108 Screening officers on identification, screening, diagnosis and management of tuberculosis and leprosy. ·   Improved Public-Private Mix (PPM) contribution in Niger state from 23% in April 2021 to 57% in December 2023 of the state total case notification in a quarter. ·   Coordinated the implementation of the novel Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) project for young adolescents living with disabilities. ·   Built the capacity of 25 Partner Organizations and 5 Disabilities Partner Organizations on SRHR for young adolescents living with a disability. ·   Increased FBOs’ case contribution increased from 2% in September 2019 to 21% in March 2021 (more than a 200% increase). ·   Trained 600 Patent Medicine Vendors on recognising, diagnosing and referring leprosy/NTD cases.   When I am not busy implementing projects, training field staff, engaging with stakeholders or volunteering, I love touring the world. If my journey catches your fancy and you would love to work/collaborate with me, reach me – agboandfew20@gmail.com

Good use of effective #contraception is the most effective way to reduce #MaternalMortality. MSI Reproductive Choices works towards this in many countries. The work of Marie Stopes Uganda is highlighted here 👍 Since 2018, Marie Stopes Uganda has been working in 86 districts across seven regions of #Uganda to reduce #MaternalMortality by improving access to modern #contraception for #men and #women. https://lnkd.in/eRPmSx4S

How did low- and middle-income countries respond to adolescents’ and young people’s sexual and reproductive health service provision in the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic? Ali Ahmed and colleagues nicely synthesize 36 case studies from low- and middle-income countries. I particularly appreciated the caution with which they place the implications of their findings, viewing them as an opportunity for reflection and adaptation in humanitarian settings. I have four key takeaways: 1. “Simple adaptations to existing programs, the use of combinations of digital and non-digital services, and the involvement of adolescents in the design and implementation of these adaptations helped facilitate their effectiveness.” 2. “Organizations operating in different countries and contexts were able to provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and mental health services to adolescents despite the extenuating circumstances prevailing in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 3. “It is important to consider the context when evaluating the set of adaptations presented in our study.” 4. “A careful evaluation of these adaptations should be conducted, particularly regarding their longer-term outcomes.” It was—and still is—possible. Enjoy the read! https://lnkd.in/eiw-6PdB Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli

To effectively engage in activities related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), it's imperative to recalibrate our understanding of SRH and track its evolving conceptual boundaries. This post aims to delve into the definitions of SRH, starting with its seminal articulation at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994. Check out this new series by Heeun Kim: https://wp.me/p7l72S-a6I

Our Publication in the Frontiers in Public Health Journal on Improving Safe Post-Abortion Care (PAC) Practices in Pakistan In collaboration with my incredible colleagues at Ipas, we examined the transformative power of integrated PAC models across public health systems in Pakistan. Our research highlights how clinical training, community engagement, and contraceptive counseling can work together to significantly reduce the risks of unsafe abortions while empowering women with safer reproductive health choices. Unsafe abortion remains a key contributor to maternal mortality, particularly in rural areas where access to skilled providers is limited. This study shows how integrating family planning services with post-abortion care can lead to life-saving outcomes and address the unmet need for contraception. I’m proud of the work we’ve done at Ipas Pakistan to make reproductive health services more accessible and safer for women nationwide. Give it a read and join us in supporting safer reproductive health solutions #ReproductiveHealth #MaternalHealth #FamilyPlanning #WomensRights #PublicHealth #Research #Ipas #Pakistan

In parts of rural Uganda, many adolescent girls and young women face challenges in accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information and services. IPPF’s Member Association in the country, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) continues to address this challenge through various initiatives, such as the Stand-Up project. In this article, we learn more about how the organization is achieving this, specifically in the Busoga region of the country, through the experience of one young woman. https://bit.ly/3CYaVqf

Adolescents in Ghana Face Significant Challenges in Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Adolescents in Ghana's Bono East region struggle to access sexual and reproductive health services due to unequal power dynamics at personal, community, and structural levels. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the unmet needs and utilization of services among these adolescents. Key concerns identified include the need for pregnancy prevention information and services, menstrual hygiene management, comprehensive abortion care services, and societal attitudes towards adolescent pregnancy. Factors influencing utilization of services include limited understanding, social pressures, misconceptions about contraceptives, service provider attitudes, parental involvement, and structural barriers. Recommendations for improving services include enhancing sexual education programs, training healthcare providers, involving parents in educational initiatives, and addressing structural barriers. Comprehensive approaches are required to address the complex challenges faced by adolescents in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. For more details please click the link! https://lnkd.in/dRt4aGpX #marketaccess #reimbursement #pricing #hta #heor #healtheconomics #medicaldevices #pharmaceutical

New Publication Alert! I’m thrilled to share our latest research: Dr. Emmanuel K. Ireland Mark Anum Nortey MBA MPH Dr Lydia Asante Boahen, B. B., Asante, L., Nortey, M. A., & Ireland, E. K. (2024). Assessing attitudes of community pharmacists towards adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive healthcare services in Ghana. West African Journal of Pharmacy, 35(2), 19-30. https://lnkd.in/gaixxV2r 🔍 Abstract Highlights: Adolescents in Ghana face challenges accessing sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS). Community pharmacists, as accessible healthcare providers, can play a critical role—but their attitudes toward adolescent-friendly SRHS (AFSRHS) are key. 📊 Key Findings: Study conducted among 357 pharmacists in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Ashanti regions revealed: 53.1% had poor attitudes towards AFSRHS. 66.7% supported equal confidentiality for adolescents and adults. 37.5% believed unmarried adolescents should abstain from contraceptive use. 📚 Conclusion: Unfavorable attitudes hinder adolescents' access to essential SRH services. Training programs and policy reforms are recommended to create a more inclusive environment for adolescent healthcare. 📖 Full Article Available Here: https://lnkd.in/gaixxV2r I look forward to engaging with colleagues, researchers, and healthcare professionals on ways to address these barriers and improve adolescent healthcare delivery. Let me know your thoughts! 💬 #AdolescentHealth #PharmacyResearch #SRHS #PublicHealth #GhanaHealthcare

Dear friends and colleagues, The International Conference on Population and Development, ICPD, took place in 1994. Thirty years later: 1. What is the health situation of adolescents in the world today? 2. As we look towards 2050, what lessons can we draw from the progress made? I am pleased to share two papers that answer these questions: 1.Beckwith S, Chandra-Mouli V, Blum RW. Trends in Adolescent Health: Successes and Challenges From 2010 to the Present, Journal of Adolescent Health, 75, 4, S, 2024. https://lnkd.in/e4fPar4N 2.Chandra-Mouli V, Akwara E, Engel D, Plesons M, Asnake M, Mehra S, Dick B, Ferguson J. Progress in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights globally between 1990 and 2016: what progress has been made, what contributed to this, and what are the implications for the future? Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. 2020, 1: 1741495. https://lnkd.in/erCbKU6w If you do not feel up to reading these two papers now or at all, here are two options: (i) Glance through the five take-away messages from the two papers: 1. THE ICPD PLACED ASRHR ON THE GLOBAL AGENDA AND SET A PRECEDENT 2. 30 YEARS LATER THERE IS TANGIBLE PROGRESS IN SOME AREAS OF ASRHR AND NOT IN OTHERS, AND LITTLE/NO PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH 3. THIS PROGRESS HAS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF INVESTMENT AND ACTION FROM THE GLOBAL TO THE LOCAL LEVELS OVER 30 YEARS 4. LOOKING AHEAD, THE WORLD NEEDS TO (I) CONSOLIDATE THE GAINS MADE, (II) EXPAND INTO OTHER AREAS OF ASRHR AND INTO OTHER AREAS OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH, PROGRESSIVELY AND STRATEGICALLY, (III) ENSURE THAT ADOLESCENTS AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN RESPONSES TO THE WIDER CHANGES IN THE WORLD ARE BEING CONSIDERED 5. THE ICPD TAUGHT US THAT HOW AN ISSUE IS NAMED AND FRAMED HUGELY INFLUENCES HOW IT IS PERCEIVED AND ADDRESSED. THIS HAS IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH Today, we have the data and the evidence to name and frame ASRHR as follows: first, the SRH of adolescents has improved – albeit slowly and unevenly - in the 30 years since Cairo and Beijing; second, it is likely that this has occurred because of deliberate action from global to local levels - over time, and third, this improvement provides a springboard for further progress in ASRHR and - progressively and strategically – in other areas of adolescent health. (ii) watch my 13-minute video film: https://lnkd.in/ewHsNrNN Thanks for engaging. I welcome your reactions. Warm regards, Chandra https://lnkd.in/emTVzgTn