Family Planning Commodities in Haiti: LMS Completes First Active Distribution and Builds Local Commodity Management Capacity
In the fall of 2008, LMS launched multiple activities to secure the supply of family planning commodities in Haiti. First, to ensure the quality and availability of USG-funded contraceptives, LMS began active distribution of family planning commodities to USG-supported service delivery points in every department of Haiti. Then, LMS began strengthening local capacity through a Leadership Development Program (LDP) for key partners in Commodity Security programs, including representatives from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) and local and international non-governmental organizations.
In September 2008, LMS initiated active distribution of contraceptive commodities, including condoms, oral contraceptives, Depo Provera, and Norplant, to all ten departments of Haiti. Despite difficult road conditions due to the devastating hurricanes and flooding that struck Haiti in August, LMS reached 168 sites with family planning commodities between September 5 and November 6, 2008. The sites—dispensaries, clinics, and hospitals—are service delivery points where customers receive health services. Before distributing the commodities, LMS agents worked with family planning professionals at each site to conduct an evaluation of compliance with USG family planning regulations, assess each facility’s management tools, and ensure that the sites’ storage areas were adequate and in good condition.
