Reproductive Health in Southern Africa: Report of a WHO Workshop

Abstract

Since 1994 a series of workshops held under the auspices of the World Health Organization has led to creation of an operational network in southern Africa which would foster rational use of country regional and international resources to strengthen national health development in areas of common interest. A recent workshop considered country needs in the development of policies and programs to integrate reproductive health services within primary health care and the need to develop networks to support reproductive health services training research and advocacy. This workshop resulted in the following: 1) endorsement of the concept of reproductive and sexual health; 2) a commitment to foster this understanding of reproductive health at the country level and to identify needs and strategies to address the needs; 3) a recommendation that national authorities adjust existing programs to reflect a reproductive and sexual health perspective; 4) agreement that in-country networking and coordination must be strengthened; 5) a recommendation that global regional and national collaboration should increase; and 6) a recommendation that all efforts should be made to strengthen networking. This workshop has resulted in significant reproductive health activity in the region.