 |
||||||||
|
KATHMANDU, Nepal, June 29, 2004 — PSI launched eight new birth spacing products into the Nepalese market in a single day, addressing the large unmet need for family planning products in this mountainous kingdom. PSI/Nepal's OK range of family planning products aims to meet the needs of couples at every stage of their reproductive life and provide options for healthier, well-spaced families. The range, branded with a striking pink and purple logo depicting a contemporary image of a Nepalese woman, consists of OK-3 (a three-month injectable); OK-1 (a one-month injectable); OK Pills (a low dose OC); OK Pills for Breastfeeding Mothers (Progestagen Only Pill); OK Condoms and OK IUCD. The range is supported by the SURE home pregnancy test kit and Postinor 2 emergency contraceptive. The simultaneous and successful launch of eight new products was a feat never before achieved in PSI history and ensured rapid saturation of family planning options. Nepal, a country best known for Mt. Everest and the Himalayas, is one of the world's poorest countries. An estimated 40% of the population lives below the poverty line and more than a quarter of currently married women have an unmet need for family planning. "The Department of Health Services has outlined in both the reproductive health strategy and the health sector reform strategy the need for a greater participation of NGOs and the private sector in delivering health impact," said Dr. B.D. Chataut, director general of His Majesty's Government's Department of Heath Services and chief guest at the launch. USAID/Nepal Acting Director Sheila Lutjens explained why USAID entrusted this project to PSI. "USAID believes that social marketing successfully combines both the education to motivate appropriate behavior change along with provision of needed health products," she said. PSI has been implementing social marketing programs in Nepal since 2002 and now promotes 19 products and services, a product line larger than any other PSI program in the world. In April 2003, Nepal launched Number One condoms with support from USAID. In less than a month, Number One condoms surpassed its annual sales target. In June 2003, the Sun Quality Health franchised family planning network made its debut, offering a variety of reproductive health services to residents of the Kathmandu Valley, including a mobile clinic to reach rural populations. In January 2004, PSI/Nepal launched Number One single-pack condoms for high-risk target groups. And with the goal of improving consistent and correct condom use, Number One lubricant was launched in May 2004. — Vivek Raj Singh, PSI/Nepal
|
 |
|
|||||
|
|
||||||||
