Health Ministry launches new family planning campaign for after birth care

Programme expected to increase use of family planning tools to 71.6% in 2030 from 58.5% in 2014

The Family Planning Sector at the Ministry of Health announced on Monday the launch of its “immediate organisation after birth” programme in all governorates in May.
According to a statement from the ministry, the new programme aims to provide family planning services in hospital maternity departments affiliated with the ministry and connecting them to family planning clinics.
This will also lower the population growth rate and provide evidence based family planning services.
For his part, Khaled Mogahed, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, said that the programmes guidelines have been set, and the guiding manuals necessary for service provider training have been updated.
He further added that the programme will be organised in three stages. The first stage will include governorates of Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, Assiut, Sohag, Sharkia, Port Said, and Alexandria. The second phase will include the governorates of Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Qena, Aswan, Dakahlia, Damietta, Gharbia, and Ismailia. The third stage will include governorates of Menoufia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Al-Beheera, Suez, Luxor, New Valley, Red Sea, North Sinai, and South Sinai.
Sahar Al-Sonbaty, head of the Population and Family Planning Sector at the Ministry of Health, pointed out that this programme is expected to help raise the use of modern family planning methods. The expected increase is set to reach 71.6% in 2030, from 58.5% in 2014.
Al-Sonbaty said that a workshop was held to develop the performance of the National Family Planning Programme, in cooperation with development partners and the United Nations Population Fund. Representatives from the sectors of basic care, treatment sector, health insurance, educational institutes, and the secretariat of specialised medical centers participated in the workshop.
"These workshops raise the efficiency of service providers. Family planning will be provided in hospital maternity departments and linked to family planning clinics, in order to ensure continuity of services through follow-up and evaluation," she added.
Al-Sonbaty explained further that service providers will be trained in providing integrated information and advice during pregnancy follow-up visits, and after care. She stressed the importance of community promotion to the programme through informational and promotional materials that highlight the concept of family planning and its positive impact on the family and society.