Global Presence

The Government of Senegal has worked to increase the availability, access, and education of family planning information to its people. So far, these efforts have led to a decline in the country's fertility rate, a substantial increase in urban and rural contraceptive prevalence rates, and a considerable expansion of family planning services to those individuals with unmet need. Senegal's gains, however, are coupled with several problems in the current health system. Populations in hard-to-reach areas have barely begun to demand services, and there is limited awareness of maternal health issues among providers and consumers. Despite the efforts of collaborating agencies and the United States Agency for International Development, sustainability has not been achieved by many local organizations.

In May 2000, USAID awarded the Senegal Maternal Health/Family Planning (MH/FP) Program to Management Sciences for Health and its partners. The program aims to achieve sustainable use of high-quality MH/FP services throughout Senegal. MSH and its partners will work to combat specific management and service delivery problems in Senegal's health system, improve and sustain the supply and demand for services, and assist with the development of fully functional services delivery points -- where competent, well-equipped providers meet informed, motivated clients.

The MH/FP Project will draw on the expertise of PLAN Senegal and other local NGOs to help local communities plan and carry out MH/FP activities. By strengthening health management and service delivery, encouraging a decentralized health system, and encouraging behavior change through education and communication campaigns, MSH and its partners are helping the Government of Senegal achieve its long-term goal of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity through the improvement and increased use of reproductive health services.