Ensuring Reproductive Health Commodity Security is a global effort. Coordination among various partners is key to a secure supply of reproductive health commodities.
Major partners and donors working together toward this goal include:
- The Reproductive Health Supply Coalition : The Reproductive Health Supply Coalition is a global partnership of public, private, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to ensuring that all people in low- and middle-income countries can access and use affordable, high-quality supplies to ensure their better reproductive health. Established in 2004 by UNFPA and several other global partners, the coalition formalizes and coordinates the critical relationships among partners that are working toward supply security. The Coalition’s Executive Committee includes UNFPA, KfW Development Bank, World Bank, International Planned Parenthood Foundation, European Commission, USAID, PATH, and others.
- Developing country governments: Governments assess demand, forecast, finance, procure and deliver contraceptives and maternal health drugs and equipment. Governments have the closest links to users and their needs and know local conditions.
- United Nations organizations and agencies: UN system partners provide coordination, technical information and guidance, and standards and quality assurance. In the area of reproductive health commodities, UNFPA often works closely with the World Health Organization and UNAIDS. Closer coordination of UN efforts is a crucial element of UN reform.
- NGOs (international and local), inter-governmental organizations and contractors: These partners help national governments with advocacy, technical training, developing models, delivering services and exchanging information.
Major NGO partners include: John Snow Inc., Population Action International, Population Services International (PSI), the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), EURONGOs, Family Health International, International Council on Management of Population Programmes, the Futures Group, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Management Sciences for Health (a private non-profit), Marie Stopes International, Partners in Population and Development, Population Concern, the Population Council.
- Bilateral donors: Donor countries such as Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States supply financial and technical support. They also collect data and conduct analyses that help UNFPA and its partners to understand commodity requirements.
- The World Bank and regional development banks: These financial institutions are restructuring the way governments organize services and allocate resources, so their collaboration ensures an ongoing focus on Reproductive Health Commodity Security.
- Foundations: Foundations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the David and Lucille Packard Foundation, the United Nations Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund, have provided flexible long-term grants.
- Commercial private sector: Half or more of all reproductive health commodities used in many countries are provided throught By making products and services attractive and accessible to users who can pay commercial prices, they are central to sustainable programmes.
- Private individuals: Individuals drive the demand side of the equation, and their private purchases of commodities can reduce the burden on public-sector programmes. By encouraging such purchases, social marketing efforts can contribute to sustainable supply systems.
