In July 2016, the Government of Zambia shared an update on progress in achieving its policy, financial and program and service delivery commitments to FP2020.
The government reports performing the following activities in support of its program and service delivery commitment:
- The government, with support from UNFPA, introduced Implanon NXT in five provinces. This included procurement of commodities and capacity building for 40 trainers and 200 providers.
- The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority recently registered Sayana Press and the first shipment is expected in-country by end 2016. This consignment will be initially used by community based distributors (CBDs) to provide injectable contraceptives.
- The Ministry of Health has issued policy guidance allowing trained CBDs to provide injectable contraceptives. National training manuals have been developed and the draft CBD strategy has incorporated injectable contraceptives. The MOH has commenced the process of developing the Community Health strategy and CBDs, under the SARAI project, are providing injectable contraceptives in their communities.
- Through the Church Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), the government is engaged in a dialog on family planning, with the first meeting held in September 2015. CHAZ has lined up other engagements with religious leaders in 2016. In addition, the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional affairs government has engaged chiefs in addressing child marriage and teenage pregnancies, including in the promotion of family planning.
- Demand generation for family planning is being done through sub-district structures using community volunteers such as safe motherhood action groups—groups of women and men that promote safe motherhood practices including antenatal clinic attendance, institutional deliveries, and family planning. In collaboration with partners, the MOH has used innovations such as the camping approach, social marketing strategies, and integrated outreach activities to generate demand in various communities.
The government reports performing the following activities in support of its financial commitment:
- The government has received increased funding for two dedicated members of staff, under the Mother and Child Health Directorate, whose role is to focus on family planning.
- The government has procured 45,000 units of the Implanon implant and the entire national needs for Microgynon pills. The government continues to receive support for contraceptive commodities from UNFPA and USAID.
- The government has also incorporated family planning in programs supported by other bilateral and multilateral donors in Zambia, such as UK DFID, the European Union, the World Bank, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and programs supported by other UN agencies, such as the WHO.
The government reports performing the following activities in support of its policy and political commitment:
- The government of Zambia has expanded the Essential Medicines Logistics Improvement Programme to 85 of 106 districts, covering 8 out of 10 provinces.
- The government is still rolling out use of the electronic Logistics Management Information Systems and is working towards harmonizing all existing electronic logistics management systems.
