VLIR | ICRH

In Nicaragua, a new model of integrated primary health care (MAIS, modelo de atención integral en salud), is currently being implemented in primary health centres. Although the new model gives opportunities for more qualitative, accessible and equitable health care, the implementation is hampered by organizational, communicative and technical insufficiencies. The present project investigates strategies to strengthen the implementation of the model through academically guided activities related to organization, technical ability, communication and research. The pivotal theme of the project is reproductive health delivery, identified as one of the most vulnerable aspects in this transition phase. 

Education and training can play a vital role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They can inform and empower children and youth and thereby have a direct impact on the evolution of the epidemic. Education and training can as well have an impact on society, by changing social norms, fighting stigma and discrimination or triggering economic development and thereby have an indirect impact on the evolution of HIV/AIDS. At the same time, the already under resourced and overcharged education systems in sub-Saharan Africa are also affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

In the context of the University Development Cooperation, the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM), Mozambique, was selected as a partner institution of the VLIR-UDC-programme ‘Institutional University Cooperation’. The implementation of the Partner Programme with UEM (2008-2013) is coordinated by professor Marleen Temmerman. The programme is being implemented inter-university and has as central theme ‘Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS’. It comprises, in this first phase, 8 projects. Five projects address a sub-theme of the central theme and 3 projects will strengthen capacity in specific areas.

Sexual and reproductive ill-health is a cause as well as a consequence of poverty among women who end in a down-ward trend together with their children. Overall policy makers pay little attention to the situation of poor women in the development of their poverty reduction strategy.

During war and armed conflict the vulnerability of children and adolescents increases, particularly cwhere their sexual and reproductive health rights and needs are concerned. Responding to these rights and needs requires a very specific approach.

International organizations agree that the protection of teh sexual and reproductive health rights of refugee and internally displaced women should be a priority in humanitarian programmes. However, these  rights are often regarded to be of less importance than the general problems faced by refugees and internally displaced persons. 

This project aimed at formulating recommendations for a policy concerning involvement of men to prevent violence against women in developing countries.