Gates Project

Dates: Initial Phase began in 2014; Current Project: 2021-2023

Role: Prime Recipient

Donors: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

This project will capitalize on the evidence, experience, local talent, and current infrastructure for family planning in DRC that has been built over the past ten years, and position existing actors to carry priority initiatives forward at the close of 2023.

OBJECTIVES

  • Assist in reinforcing family planning leadership
  • Institutionalize the model of community-based service delivery using nursing students
  • Reinforce the professional and administrative skills for FP research at the Kinshasa SPH
  • Mobilize resources for future FP funding, including contraceptive procurement
  • Document and disseminate valuable lessons from FP in the DRC

Assist in reinforcing family planning leadership. Tulane personnel will collaborate with government agencies and international NGOs in the production of a new National Strategic Plan for Family Planning: 2022-2025, and in the revitalization of the CTMP (the Permanent Multisectoral Technical Committee), a family planning stakeholders group that served effectively as a coordinating mechanism from 2012-18.

Institutionalize the model of community-based service delivery using nursing students. Since 2014, Tulane has worked with the D6 (Ministry of Health) to pilot test, replicate, and scale-up several innovative service delivery strategies using nursing students to provide counseling and services at the community level. Under this project, we will expand the model to additional organizations and provinces, as well as conduct an in-depth assessment of the process.

Reinforce the technical and administrative skills for FP research at the Kinshasa SPH. The Kinshasa School of Public Health has become a highly sought-after organization for the conduct of public health research in the DRC, and they have successfully led the annual PMA survey since 2013. Under this project, they will develop a business plan for PMA-type surveys and other FP research, as a tool for seeking additional sources of funding. Also, a Research Center will be established in the name of the late Prof. Patrick Kayembe in recognition of his contributions to FP research in the DRC.

Mobilize resources for future FP funding, including contraceptive procurement. With a shift in the donor landscape in the DRC, Tulane will collaborate with other partners to pursuenew sources of funding for family planning programming. A chronic problem is the shortage of the full range of contraceptives, which will also be a target for funding under this initiative.

Document and disseminate valuable lessons from FP in the DRC. As a University, Tulane faculty with local partners have conducted studies on multiple topics. This project will allow for the continued publication of journal articles and research briefs by Tulane faculty and their Congolese counterparts, as well as dissemination of project materials through social media (e.g., FP Insight), conferences, and other platforms. Particular emphasis will be given to the recently completed Gates-funded MOMENTUM project in Kinshasa.