| Improving the
Quality of Reproductive Health Care The
1994 International Conference on Population
and Development (ICPD) set forth the challenge of ensuring,
not just that reproductive health services are universally available,
but also that they are of adequate quality.
Quality
of care encompasses
- Access to services
- Adequate supplies and equipment
- Standards of technical, managerial and
interpersonal skills of health staff
UNFPA
has been active for years in all of these areas, largely through
providing technical support, equipment and training for health care
providers.
Since
ICPD + 5, attention has also focused on consumers as agents of change,
as a complement to the support to providers. The idea is to encourage
consumers to organize and push for higher quality health services
and more participation of women in their management.
Far from
being a luxury, improving quality of care can be a cost-effective
means of achieving the ultimate goal of better reproductive and
sexual health. If clients are not treated with respect, they may
not use the available services. Or they may have poor outcomes.
A concern
with quality of care is part of health reform processes that are
under way in many countries. But often insufficient attention is
given to the specific ways in which quality of care applies to reproductive
and sexual health services.
The components
of quality reproductive health care are well established. Clients
need a choice of contraceptive methods, accurate and complete information,
technically competent care, good interaction with providers, continuity
of care, and a constellation of related services.
Studies
from around the world suggest that clients also want:
- Respect, friendliness and courtesy
- Confidentiality and privacy
- Understanding on the part of providers of each client's situation
and needs
- Complete and accurate information, including full disclosure
about side-effects of contraceptives
- Technical competence
- Access and continuity of care and supplies. Access implies that
services are reliable, affordable and without barriers.
- Fairness. Clients want providers to offer information and services
to everyone regardless of age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation,
class or ethnicity.
- Results. Clients are frustrated when they are told to wait or
come back on a different day, or when their complaints are dismissed
as unimportant.
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