Reproductive Health and Family Planning Program

During this 6 year project, Meridian’s role was to engage involvement and support from the Private Sector in order to achieve the project’s goals.  Meridian provided 2 in-country staff positions, who were responsible for

1. The design and implementation of a comprehensive Social Marketing program and communications campaign.  This program was achieved through multiple public-private partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies (Bayer Schering Pharma, Gedeon Richter) and donors (UNFPA).
2. All Behavior Change Communication activities including a Mass Media campaign on TV and the metro/subway.
3. Public Relations outreach and Media Advocacy (including media training for key journalists and TV personalities.
4. Education and training of community leaders, key stakeholders, peer educators in important public health issues, at the Community level.

The goal of the Azerbaijan project was to increase the access, availability, quality and sustainability of Reproductive Health and Family Planning services.  Using WHO’s guiding principles in delivery of the interventions, the Project implemented the following:  1) Family Planning Services integrated within preventive and curative sexual reproductive health care, 2) Education and counseling for informed and voluntary contraception decision making, 3) Availability of and access to contraceptive supplies, 4) Family planning within integrated primary health care, including the prevention and care of STIs, including HIV, cervix and breast cancer.

Other partners on the Azeri project included EngenderHealth (Prime), Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), and IntraHealth International.