Innovations for Development works with community changes agents in underprivileged communities to advance tested innovations through collaborative learning, providing tailored support for the design and implementation of health systems reforms, service delivery and research and analysis to capture practical lessons and catalyze innovations.
The Challenge
Uganda is struggling with Reproductive Health Challenges. These include high teenage pregnancy, high maternal death, HIV/AIDS, etc. With a youth population of 56%, the high risk of sexually active women accounts for 16% of the youth, while the high risk of sexually active men accounts for 36%. Related to these behavioral challenges are unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and cross-generational sex that is grossly exploitative, especially for the girl child.
Reproductive Health of adolescents is dependent on several complex and often independent factors including social-cultural influences (such as family, peers and communities), and access to health services, education and employment opportunities. In Uganda, abortion is legally restricted and post-abortion care (PAC) services are provided by doctors, clinical officers and midwives in all facilities. The provision of PAC services is always limited by inadequately trained staff and a lack of other resources.
Although both male and female adolescents have many reproductive health challenges, female adolescents have additional burdens that are gender and sex-specific. For example, early pregnancy which is associated with high morbidity and mortality not only to the mother but also the child. Other challenges include a high unmet need for Contraception and high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence.
The other goal of I4DEV’s health program is to contribute to the improvement of the nutritional status of the most vulnerable population through intensified services to a level that is consistent with good health.
The program is implemented through strategy, policy analysis, capacity building & development, monitoring & evaluation, quality assurance, resource mobilization and technical support in nutrition.
Our Approach
I4DEV is working with change agents in communities to Quality Healthcare Service, support policymakers and practitioners as they design efficient, equitable and sustainable healthcare systems, generate evidence to champion advocacy. Our approach focuses on building in-country capacity to use evidence and effectively implement health reforms on critical topics such as sustainable financing, strengthening primary care systems, improving the quality of health services and expanding population coverage.
