In The Spotlight New Working Group Leaders This month, the Coalition welcomed two new Working Group Leaders, Leslie Patykewich of John Snow, Inc. to lead the Systems Strengthening Working Group (SSWG) and Ian Askew of Population Council to head the Market Development Approaches Working Group (MDAWG). As Working Group Leaders, Leslie and Ian will sit on the Coalition’s governing body – the Executive Committee.
Leslie’s career in international health spans 15 years and 18 countries, focusing on programmes and strategies to improve access to quality family planning and reproductive health services and supplies. She inherits a tradition of strong SSWG leadership that includes Alan Bornbusch and David Smith, and, more recently, Mimi Whitehouse.
Ian brings with him more than 20 years’ work in Africa in this field, and sees MDAWG as a unique forum bringing together technology designers, manufacturers, regulators, procurers, distributors, providers, and users. He, too, will have big shoes to fill as the MDA says goodbye to Ben Light of UNFPA, who has led the Working Group with dedication and energy for more than half a decade.
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Biggest online reference library on RH supplies -- now bigger and better The Coalition’s Supplies Information Database (SID) now has more than 7000 records on the status of reproductive health supplies at global, regional and country levels. The records, from more than 230 countries and territories, span back to 1980. SID is currently up-to-date with new entries being added on an ongoing basis. New searchable fields include key life-saving maternal health commodities and outputs of the Innovation Fund.
SID was originally developed by John Snow, Inc., with funding from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. We depend on you to keep SID up-to-date and on the cutting edge. Please send new articles, either as hyperlinks or PDFs, to librarian@rhsupplies.org. |
Coalition on the scene Coalition joins partners to plan for implementation of UN Commodities Commission Director John Skibiak represented the Coalition at a two-day planning meeting on the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children. Over 64 delegates from around the world met in Oslo to refine the Commission’s draft implementation plan, identify agencies that will lead implementation of its 10 cross-cutting recommendations, and define the broad strategic steps required to take the effort forward once the Commission’s report is released on September 26th. To facilitate future engagement by interested Coalition members, the Coalition will participate on six of the 13 commodity-specific technical “reference groups” (emergency contraception, implants, female condom, MgSO4, oxytocin and misoprostol) and on two of the 10 cross-cutting “recommendation groups” – those on global market shaping and supply-chain effectiveness. For more information on the Commission, or how to engage in its work, please contact, John Skibiak. |
Register! In just four weeks, the Coalition’s Annual Membership Meeting will address critical issues around reproductive health supplies. Meeting dates are now online, and agendas are taking shape. We have block-booked rooms in two hotels, which are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis, and cannot be held for much longer. Register now before it’s too late, and join international RH supplies experts in Paris. For more information, please contact Mr. Francis Fix.
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Coalition Chair to join IPPF Congratulations and warm wishes to Julia Bunting for the next phase of her career in sexual and reproductive health. Julia, the Coalition’s current Chair, leaves the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), to take on the role of Director of the Programme and Technical Division at the International Planned Parenthood Federation in mid-October. We look forward to continuing our work with Julia through to the end of her term in June 2013; we also look forward to working with our members to identify her successor. |
Supply chains are focus of new infographic A new infographic is calling upon funders to strengthen public health supply chains in Central America so that essential medicines can pass from procurers to warehouses, health facilities, and finally, into the hands of customers when they need them. The document targets ministries of health and finance, and recommends that countries invest approximately US$0.20 to strengthen supply chains for every dollar spent on commodities. The infographic was produced by the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT in partnership with the Mesoamerican Health Initiative 2015 of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB); it was first presented at the Coalition’s Latin American and Caribbean Forum in May 2012, and can be downloaded in Spanish and English here. |
CycleBeads® in the news In a recent e-blast, Georgetown University’s Institution for Reproductive Health (IRH) draws attention to a collection of briefs recently published by the Coalition's Caucus on New and Underused Reproductive Health Technologies, including a brief on CycleBeads®, a natural family planning tool which helps women track their menstrual cycles. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently released an Advisory Note providing guidance on the procurement of CycleBeads®. |
Ripple Effect A photo exhibit in New York will highlight how low-cost medicines and other supplies transform maternal health. Ripple Effect, hosted by PATH, will feature photographs of the women affected by this issue, and the stories of partner organizations working to prevent maternal deaths. In support of the UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children, this event will also launch a new report on a global agenda to break down barriers in accessing maternal health medicines and other supplies. |
Coalition welcomes two new members in August
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Highlights from the Working Groups Systems Strengthening Working Group AccessRH: boosted inventory, training, and RH kits
New website for People that Deliver The People that Deliver Initiative, born of the Coalition’s Systems Strengthening Working Group, now has a new website showcasing the activities of its Board, Working Groups, and Focus Countries. If you wish to be (or remain) part of the Initiative, visit http://www.peoplethatdeliver.org/node/8. |
Upcoming events
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Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
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www.rhsupplies.org · communications@rhsupplies.org
