The Role and Performance of Governmental and Nongovernmental Organizations in Family Planning implementation : Jordan as a Case Study

Abstract

The role of governmental and nongovernmental nonprofit organizations in population issues has become a familiar reality in contemporary Third World countries. A distinct irony lies in the increasing growth of the role of NGOs in implementing public programs that are conventionally assigned to government bureaucracy. In certain circumstances, these organizations become an outlet to deliver and do certain things that government agencies are not able to do. Although there is an extensive body of research and publications on nongovernmental and charitable organizations in the Third World, there are only a few cases where small NGOs are working directly with the government in a sensitive social program such as family planning. The relationship between the two sectors may stem from the complementarity of their strengths and weaknesses. This study explored the role and performance of governmental and nongovernmental nonprofit organizations in family planning implementation in Amman, Jordan. Based on both qualitative and quantitative research methods, the study attempted to establish a comparison between two family planning programs, one implemented by the Ministry of Health and the other by the Jordan Association for Family Planning and Protection. The study highlighted the advantages and disadvantages that each organization faces and how their characteristics influence their performance. Twelve clinics/centers were selected as a sample for this study. Five clinics represented the Jordan Association for Family Planning and Protection, and seven centers represented the Ministry of Health. The sample was unevenly distributed between the two organizations due to their respective sizes. The analysis was based on the data gathered from different sources and multiple research methods. Structured and semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions and situational analysis were conducted with various respondents (N = 60), including high administrators, medical and paramedical staff, policy makers, and clients. Also, field observations were conducted in the selected clinics and centers. The research shows that nongovernmental nonprofit organizations have played the leading role in family planning implementation in Jordan, despite their limited resources. The analysis also suggests that tangled bureaucratic establishment, rigid centralization coupled with environmental influence and high turnover are the main impediments to the Jordan's Ministry of Health family planning program.