_Private Sector Approaches to Effective Fandly Planning_ _40_

# not been carefully analyzed.

IJDs are sensitive to existing infrastructure but can be removed frokn clinical settings. If minimum hygiene standards are observed, IUDs can be safely inserted in almost any facility that contains some kind of examining table and adequate illumination. This favors NGOs that use nonphysicians and nonclinical outlets. IUDs can also be easily integrated into existing medical outpatient facilities, such as solo physician practices, group practices and HMOs, and company clinics, if adequate financing is available.

Strategic donor planning for program expansion must consider specific methods, specific consumer groups, and all potential outlets, not only broken down by public and private sectors, but also by different components within the private sector and various possibilities for public-private sector interaction. Governments can enhance private sector participation by removing obstacles and providing direct support and incentives to private markets. This requires that the private sector and its components (NGOs, retail outlets, modern and traditional practitioners) be explicitly included in all health and family planning sector analyses and that serious consideration be given to the potential impact of increased government family planning programs on existing private sector activities.

Government and donor support to the private sector can take two forms, that of work in the policy arena to foster a favorable environment for private sector participation in family planning, and providing or facilitating financing and other support for private sector activities.

# 6.1. Policy initiatives to promote private sector participation

Two policy areas which have important implications for private sector family planning activities are strategic planning and legal and regulatory reform.

# _6.1.1. Strategic planning_

1. Increase government awareness of the potential of the private sector to serve more family planning users and improve the quality of information available for decision making

The private sector, and especially the commercial sector, is the major source of contraceptive goods and services in most of Latin America, an important factor in Asia and North Africa, and an emerging force in Sub-Sabaran Africa. Nevertheless, most governments continue to omit private providers from national family planning strategies and programs. If donors wish to achieve policy reforms to stimulate private investment in family planning, they must assist governments to evaluate the extent of current private sector activities, as well as the obstacles and incentives to wider participation. Further analysis of national survey data, such as the Demographic and Health Surveys, is a key; family planning should be included in all future health sector analyses, and vice versa. Better understanding is needed of the factors that influence consumers' selection of outlets for a variety of health behaviors, including, for example, treatment of minor illnesses, wellbaby care, prenatal and m..ernity care, and family planning.

2. Assess the potential impact of expanded public family planning services on private sector producers, distributors, and service providers