Better Health Care in Albania
Ministry, Donors Roundtable to Discuss Existing Contraceptive Security System in Albania

February 11, 2008 TIRANA     Albania’s Ministry of Health and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) organized the round table on contraceptive security to discuss how to more effectively address and strengthen contraceptive security in Albania.  Key policymakers, public and private sector stakeholders, and representatives from the donor community attended the meeting. Despite advances in increasing the supply of contraceptives throughout the country, public health clinics and hospitals in both rural and urban areas periodically run out of supplies of one or more modern contraceptives. This roundtable is one of the first steps in mobilizing both Albania’s public and private sectors to better meet the family planning and reproductive health needs of the country.

Since 2004, USAID has assisted the Ministry of Health to strengthen Albania’s Contraceptive Logistics Information Management System to guarantee a long-term supply of quality contraceptives for every Albanian who wants them. Through a new regional effort, in 2008 USAID will assist the Ministry to develop comprehensive contraceptive security plans, including strategies for effectively forecasting, procuring, distributing, and financing contraceptives at the primary health care level. Over the next year, USAID will also train personnel and prepare technical materials and resources for using Pipeline Monitoring and Procurement Planning System.

This program is part of a regional USAID Family Planning activity to enhance and complement family planning programs and create supportive policy environment for acceleration of existing and new family planning programs in Eastern Europe.

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