Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Three strategies to promote sustainability of CEMOPLAF clinics in Ecuador (PDF) 
Bratt,John H.; Foreit,James R.; de Vargas,Teresa
Studies in Family Planning 29(1): 58-68
Publication date: 1998

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The continuing trend of donor attention and resources away from Latin America threatens the sustainability of nongovernmental family planning organizations in that region. Managers can improve sustainability through cost control, cost recovery, and income generation. The Population Council's INOPAL II and INOPAL III projects and Family Health International assisted CEMOPLAF, an Ecuadorian private voluntary organization, in carrying out operations research in each of these areas. Studies included cost-savings analysis from altering IUD revisit norms (cost control), an ability-to-pay study that showed potential gains from increased prices for reproductive health services (cost recovery), and a feasibility study to estimate income from ultrasound services (income generation). Results indicate that any one intervention will probably have a limited impact, and that managers likely will need to undertake several initiatives simultaneously to make significant progress toward sustainability.

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