Linking Reproductive Health, Family Planning and HIV/AIDS Programs in Africa

An International Conference
UN Conference Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
October 9-10, 2006

Organized by :

Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs
Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University

Press Release

ADDIS ABABA (October 9-10, 2006) - Over 500 international researchers, advocates, donors, policy makers and program administrators from over 40 countries convened together for a two day conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to determine the state of knowledge and practice through evidence-based research on whether linking or integrating reproductive health, family planning and HIV/AIDs programs is appropriate and feasible in Africa.

Organized by the Department of Community Health, Addis Ababa University and the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and in collaboration with several national and international organizations, highlights of the conference included in-depth discussions on policy implications for integrated or linked services; health system challenges related to efficient program and service delivery and the strong desire for on going solid, quality research.

H.E. Bience Gawanas, the Commissioner for Social Affairs with the African Union Commission expressed support and excitement that theme of integrating services followed on the heels of the September Ministerial Meeting in Maputo as it clearly addresses one of the six priorities of the Continental Policy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Plan of Action.

The Ethiopian State Minister of Health, Dr. Kebede Worku, in his opening address strongly stated that, “Linkage, integration and mainstreaming of these services is beyond health specific issues. It is a question of clients’ rights to have continuum of care…dual protection of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV transmission is one area for service integration.”

According to the conference organizers, translating the key findings of the conference will entail further dialogue between both HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health sectors, engaging researchers to define and expand the research agenda to encompass epidemiological aspects, operational and program issues and most importantly, listening to and meeting the reproductive desires of PLWHAs. It was also disclosed that co-sponsors discussed and agreed upon on the follow up activities at a post conference meeting they held on September 11, 2006.