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Romania
 Complete
In September 2001, TASC/JSI successfully completed
the Women's Reproductive Health Initiative Project
in Romania, and a follow-on project was designed
to continue its activities. JSI Research and Training
Institute will implement the follow-on project in
partnership with Population Services International
(PSI) and the Society for Education on Contraception
and Sexuality (SECS), which is the International
Planned Parenthood Federation affiliate in Romania.
The objective of the TASC/JSI project in Romania was
to increase the access to quality family planning
education and client-centered services at clinics
in four USAID target judets and to strengthen management
capabilities of public health officials at the judet
and national levels. To address the high rates of
abortion and maternal mortality, and the barriers
to access to family planning in Romania, TASC/JSI
sought to build capacity through assistance to the
public health sector and to build model service sites
for potential nationwide replication.
The following is a summary of the major achievements
of TASC/JSI in Romania:
Local and National Family Planning and Reproductive
Healthcare Strategies
TASC/Romania conducted the strategy development process
in an innovative way, involving health authorities,
specialists, and practitioners from the judets and
national institutions in both the governmental and
non-governmental sectors. Through a process of consultation
and consensus building, a National Reproductive Health
Strategy has evolved that is owned by many and that
has a special focus on integrating family planning
into primary healthcare services. Similar localized
strategies were also developed in each judet.
Model Service Delivery Sites
TASC/Romania created 41 Model Service Delivery Sites
in four judets, and nearly all of the work done
at the national level has been implemented at
these sites. The model sites have integrated
the skills and principles of effective management,
leadership, financial management, operations
management, inventory control, human resources
utilization, and continuous quality improvement.
Training of Service Providers
For the model service sites TASC/JSI provided management
training to more than 100 service providers.
A field-tested Practice Management Course—including
a trainers' guide and a user's guide—was
developed and is available in hard copy and on
disc. In addition, TASC/Romania worked to strengthen
the capacity of the Romanian Institute of Health
Services Management to design and conduct trainings
based on adult learning principles.
Management Information Systems
TASC/Romania developed a basic, serviceable management
information system, introduced it to all the
model service delivery sites, and provided training
and technical assistance.
Service Marketing/Demand Creation
To help increase the demand for their services, more
than 84 service providers from the model service
delivery sites were trained in basic service
marketing techniques. Following the training,
and with minimal financial support from the project,
each clinic developed and implemented a service
marketing plan.
Service Standards
The standards are a key component of TASC/Romania's
work related to the adoption of national standards
for reproductive health services. By the end
of the project, a final version of the Standards
for Family Planning Services was drafted, and
will be given official stature through a ministerial
order.
Sustainability
TASC/JSI's mandate in Romania was to ensure that
all its activities are sustainable. At the planning,
stage each activity was carefully analyzed and
the process of implementation was documented.
During a workshop held at the end of the project,
the sustainability issues for consideration during
the replication process were discussed.
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