| Population Services International | |
|---|---|
| Formation | January 1, 1970 |
| Type | NGO |
| President | Karl Hofmann |
| Website | www.psi.org |
Population Services International is a global health organization with programs targeting malaria, child survival, HIV and reproductive health. Working in partnership within the public and private sectors, and harnessing the power of the markets, PSI provides life-saving products, clinical services and behavior change communications that empower the world's most vulnerable populations to lead healthier lives.[1]
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PSI has programs in over 60 countries.[2] Its world headquarters are in Washington, D.C. and its European offices are in Amsterdam.
PSI employs more than 150 U.S. staff, more than 100 overseas expatriate staff and 8,000 local PSI affiliate staff.
Major donors include the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands; the Global Fund, United Nations agencies, private foundations, corporations and individuals.
It is a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, a Washington D.C.-based coalition of over 400 major companies and NGOs that advocates for a larger International Affairs Budget, which funds American diplomatic and development efforts abroad.[3]
With support from the Dutch Government under the Strategic Alliance with International Non-Governmental Organisations (SALIN), Population Services International(PSI) undertook a 30 month project, from July 2008, aimed at meeting post-partum family planning needs, increasing contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) and decreasing maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Mali.[4] This was in line with Millennium Development Goal 5.[5] Family planning can help time and space pregnancies or prevent unwanted pregnancies, hence reduce maternal mortality.[6]
Mali women of reproductive age have little knowledge on family planning methods and are largely unaware of the health benefits of family planning.[6] Mali’s contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) of 6% was among the lowest worldwide and had stagnated since 2001, with the exception of the capital, Bamako, where the CPR decreased from 19% to 16% from 2001 to 2006.[4] At least one in 25 women in Mali die from pregnancy-related causes or resulting lifelong complications.[6] There is also limited access to long acting family planning methods.[4]
Clinic event days were designed to promote family planning. While women waited to have their child immunised on immunisation days, the midwife and the clinic personnel give a 30-45 minute presentation on the importance of family planning as well as the various options of contraceptives available.[6] Women were encouraged to raise concerns and the discussions helped to dispel common misconceptions. PSI also provided a subsidy for the women who chose to receive a long acting contraception method, increasing access to and affordability of family planning.[6]
As of 31st October 2010, a total of 1,666 health talk sessions were held and 69,055 women were reached. Also, 1,396 intrauterine devices (IUD) and 14,547 contraceptive implants were inserted.[4] The intrauterine device (IUD) provides protection from unintended pregnancies for up to 12 years and the implant for up to 5 years.[6]
The board of directors includes