Regional UN HSF Reproductive Health Project

About United Nations Human Security Fund (UN HSF) 

The UN HSF is supported by the Government of Japan and housed at the United Nations. The fund was established in 1999 to strengthen effort and initiatives in the area of human security. The concept of human security is based on responses to threats to human lives and dignity.  This covers emergent issues such as drug abuse, international crime, poverty, refugees issues, violation of human rights, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, land mines, and girl trafficking.  In the Pacific, the UN HSF make a contribution to improving the status of human security in 5 Pacific Island Countries.

About UNFPA’s Regional UN HSF Reproductive Health Project Framework

In April 2001 UNFPA Area Office for the Pacific in Suva, secured US$1,572,122 from the United Nations Human Security Fund.  This fund was dedicated to improving human security initiatives in the area of reproductive health and urgent population needs in Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 

In Kiribati and Marshall Islands, the project focused on addressing the increasing vulnerability of young people to STIs, including HIV/AIDS.  In the Solomon Islands, the project focused on addressing the reproductive health needs of the thousands of displaced populations in the provinces of Guadacanal and Malaita. These were the two provinces affected by ethnic tension and violence.  In Tuvalu, the project addressed the lack of access to quality reproductive health services, in particular, women’s reproductive health needs in the outer-islands.  In Vanuatu, the project addressed the high rates of population growth by ensuring the availability of safe, modern and effective means of contraception. 

Kiribati HSF project profile  

The HSF Project in Kiribati is ‘Rising to the challenge of HIV/AIDS from a reproductive health perspective’.  The project objectives were: (1) Increased awareness amongst key target groups on reproductive health issues including STI/HIV/AIDS (2) Improvement in the quality of reproductive health services, and (3) Strengthened Reproductive Health Management Information System (MIS).   

In raising reproductive health awareness, UNFPA and WHO jointly conducted a series of STI/AIDS awareness workshops for seafarers, their partners and wives, as well as commercial sex workers.  Condoms were widely distributed to these target groups.  A series of community workshops were conducted for women’s groups, religious leaders, traditional leaders, community organizations and youth groups as some of the key target groups on reproductive health.  In collaboration with SPC’s Regional Media Centre, training on the development of IEC materials was conducted. 

In improving the quality of reproductive health services, UNFPA provided a vehicle to serve as a mobile reproductive health clinic and three motorbikes to assist in outreach activities. UNFPA also procured one OBG examination couch, one sterilizer, and one fetal heart doppler for the maternity unit at Betio hospital.  UNFPA and WHO jointly conducted refresher training in South Tarawa for nurses, medical assistants, and community health workers on Family Planning technologies. 

In strengthening Reproductive Health Management Information System (MIS), UNFPA and WHO conducted workshops for nurses and clinic staff on proper recording and reporting of reproductive Health data.  

 Dr. Lee with a health nurse at a clinic in Kiribati. 

The project in the Marshall Islands is titled ‘Response to increasing STI/HIV/AIDS in Marshall Islands’.  The broad objectives of the project were (1) reduce STI/HIV/AIDS through access to quality Reproductive Health services at all levels of service delivery points, and (2) strengthen and improve the Reproductive Health, Family Planning and Sexual Health information system.   

In addressing reduction of STI/HIV/AIDS the following strategic actions were implemented.  UNFPA and WHO conducted a training course on Reproductive Health, Family Planning and Sexual Health in August 2002 with 35 participants from community health centers. The ‘100% condom use’ campaign targeted night club customers, fishing boat workers and clinics.  UNFPA and SPC conducted Multimedia IEC training workshops in print, radio and video media. UNFPA, in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific, conducted a survey to assess the levels of sexual networks in the Marshall Islands.  The surveys provided useful information that will be the basis for formulating appropriate corrective strategies to address the STIs trends in the Marshall Islands.  

In strengthening and improving the Reproductive Health, Family Planning and Sexual Health information systems, the following strategies were implemented.  Dr. Ezikiel Banda, a UN Volunteer health statistician undertook a review of the information system to review and develop an improved Reproductive Health, Family Planning and Sexual Health data and information system.  The review exercise developed new indicators to adopted in the revised information system. 

The project in the Solomon Islands is titled ‘Emergency reproductive health care to displaced population of Guadacanal and Malaita in Solomon Islands’.  The project objective is to increase knowledge, access and utilization of quality reproductive health services for displaced persons whose lives are being threatened by ethnic tension and violence. 

Between 2001 and 2003. UNFPA and WHO jointly implemented the following activities: (1) provided emergency medical equipment including contraceptives, medications and emergency reproductive health clinic supplies to displaced populations.  This included STD drug kits, delivery and IUD kit, vacuum extraction and transfusion kit.  (2) Provided training to 60 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) on safe delivery and risk factors in Guadacanal and Malaita in July and September 2002.  (3) Produced and distributed a ‘Manual of Obstetrics and Gynaecology’ to two hospitals over a period of 6-8 months.

Participants learn how to develop appropriate IEC materials in the local language at the IEC workshop in the Solomon Islands.

A UN Volunteer was recruited under this project to assess health data and information needs, as well as to scope the accessibility of services to various provinces in the Solomon Islands.   

The project in Tuvalu is titled ‘Strengthening and expanding Reproductive Health services and information to reduce Reproductive Health morbidity’.  The project objective is to increase knowledge of target groups on key Reproductive Health issues and to expand quality Reproductive Health services to all islands. 

IEC workshop facilitator in Tuvalu identify Reproductive Health and Population issues. 

UNFPA and WHO jointly conducted the following activities: (1) In collaboration with the Women’s Department, a series of education workshops and seminars on women’s health issues were conducted in May 2002.  (2) In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, a series of seminars on STD/HIV/AIDS for sea men was conducted in May – June 2002. (3) A seminar for leaders and policy makers on population and reproductive health issues was conducted in November 2002.  Participants included parliamentarians, religious and community leaders. (4) In collaboration with SPC’s Regional Media Centre, a workshop for IEC development.  (5) A refresher training course for nurses on the integration of Reproductive Health services was conducted in November 2002.  The project provided contraceptive supplies and medical equipment between 2001 and 2003.  This included condoms, contraceptive pills, IUDs, injectables and sub dermal implants.   To support transportation for emergencies and outreach efforts, a boat was procured to provide reproductive health services to outer islands.

Health nurses in Tuvalu at the Refresher Training Course supported by UNHSF project 

Vanuatu Project Profile  

The Vanuatu project is titled ‘Strengthening and expanding quality Reproductive Health services and information’.  The broad objective is to contribute to increased knowledge of target groups on key Reproductive Health issues, through the provision of training activities, medical equipment and contraceptive supplies. 

UNFPA and WHO jointly conducted the following project activities: (1) 10 Reproductive Health awareness workshops were conducted in various communities (2) 60 traditional birth attendants and health workers were provided refresher training courses in July 2002. (3) In collaboration with SPC’s Regional Media Centre, a desktop publishing workshop was conducted to build the capacity of participants to develop appropriate IEC materials.  (4) 2 health officers received training on logistic management in China.  (5) Various meetings on clinical issues particularly relating to maternal deaths and neonatal issues were conducted at Northern District Hospital, Lolowai Hospital, Norsup Hospital, Vila Central Hospital and Lenakel Hospital.  (6) 1 vehicle was procured in April 2002 as a mobile clinic for the island of Efate.         

The 3 year HSF Project provided assistance of approximately US$1.57 million to 5 PICs to address emergent human security issues in the area of Reproductive Health and Population.  The project played a crucial role in improving the ability to provide emergent reproductive health supplies and services to hard to reach areas, particularly for pregnant women.  Similarly, Traditional Birth Attendants in the rural and outer islands were trained so that in the absence of clinical health providers, they could attend to the emergency births.  The project played a key role in assessing the level of STI trends and teenage pregnancy trends in the Marshall Islands and Kiribati.  Information gathered from these surveys provide a basis for formulating corrective action and strategies to address these issues in future assistance programmes.  The HSF project was pivotal in addressing the problems associated with geographic distance by providing the means of transportation to ensure improved accessibility and sustained outreach efforts.  The production of IEC materials in the local language was effective, as these materials fostered greater awareness of reproductive health issues among hard to reach populations.   

UNFPA acknowledges the valuable support of the UN Human Security Fund and collaborative partners, who have made it possible for people in the Pacific to have greater access to reproductive health services and information, and consequently to experience an improved quality of life.