By supporting free or low-cost family planning services, governments and donors have, in effect, limited the incentives for commercial involvement in family planning and other reproductive health services. Strategies to address this concern include revolving loan funds to assist commercial providers, social marketing projects, and better training for private doctors and midwives. Reducing costs can be achieved in a number of ways. Reducing excess capacity in delivery systems, minimizing or reducing unnecessary procedures, and introducing or emphasizing certain lower-cost contraceptive methods are among ways that have been used successfully. Integration of services , such as providing care for sexually transmitted diseases at family planning clinics, involves many important questions, especially how much integrated services may cost.
Cost analysis can guide policy-makers in deciding whether to integrate services.
References Alex Marshall, ed. The State of World Population 1997. United Nations Population Fund, 1997. Population Action International, 1994. Population Issues Briefing Kit 1997.