In Uganda, an empty shelf is everyone’s problem

Coalition member HEPS-Uganda is mobilizing communities, talk show radio hosts, and health providers in Mbarara and Kamuli districts, to talk about stockouts and spur real action to resolve them once and for all. Reframing the issue of contraceptive stockouts as being fundamentally about the right of choice, HEPS is partnering with radio stations, and conducting community outreach activities to raise awareness about stockouts and the right to access a full range of family planning products.

The intervention also mobilized more than 200 community members, health providers, and local government officials to carry out an innovative community scorecard exercise to strengthen FP services provision. The approach yielded community action plans for implementation over the next six months, at which time endline measurements will be taken. HEPS is using the evidence generated from that engagement to talk about stockouts with government officials and other national-level partners, and generate the political will needed to resolve them. For more information about this project or the Coalition’s Take Stock campaign please contact Ellen T. Tompsett at etompsett@rhsupplies.org.