Rahnuma-FPAP successfully completed Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) funded project design to respond to the cultural and belief-based barriers challenging women and girls’ access to PAC services. This project was implemented at the five Family Health Clinics (FHCs) at Karachi (Sindh) with an integrated approach to raise awareness at the community level and provide quality reproductive health services. Initially, an 18-months innovative intervention was designed with regards to an alarming situation showing a high level of unmet need for FP (17%), a low level of CPR for modern methods (25%), and a high level of unwanted pregnancies (25%). This project aimed to reducing social stigma and misconceptions related to MR&PAC and it was implemented in selected FHC Karachi (Sindh) with an extended coverage of urban and semi-urban communities.
Due to pandemic it was difficult to conduct OPD and medical camps and community refusal cases also increased during door-to-door visits as many of the community members were afraid and reluctant to come with the field team for regular checkups. Despite of these challenges FP&RH services remained operational under WHO guidelines with all arrangements that may ensure the protection of clinical staff and facility visitor’s as well. Family planning services also remained available for FP users as the supplies chain remained intact. We developed an enabling environment in project areas for sensibly listening and exchanging views close to the key message of the GCC project, it assisted to implement the additional NEC tasks qualitatively. There was increase in numbers of clients to receive MR/PAC services at project’s health care facilities.
Another main component of the GCC Project was effective engagement of youth through capacity building and awareness sessions at the Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) as youth engagement is an integral part and it is already working with youth on diverse issues and recorded incredible achievements. Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) has always remained a viable platform as they proved the most cost effective learning and entertaining hub for youth.
FHCs strengthening activities continued throughout the project period as part of an implementation strategy to provide quality reproductive health services to primary beneficiaries. Need-based equipment and supplies were provided to GCC-FHCs in three consecutive rounds. Quality assurance (QA) meetings were organized by QAD according to set standards of the organization.