title: Challenges associated with tracking resources allocation for reproductive health in sub-Saharan African countries: the UNFPA/NIDI resource flows project experience.
abstract: Universal access to reproductive health services entails strengthening health systems, but requires significant resource commitments as well as efficient and effective use of those resources. A number of international organizations and governments in developing countries are putting efforts into tracking the flow of health resources in order to inform resource mobilization and allocation, strategic planning, priority setting, advocacy and general policy making. The UNFPA/NIDI-led Resource Flows Project ("The UNFPA/NIDI RF Project") has conducted annual surveys since 1997 to monitor progress achieved by developing countries in implementing reproductive health financial targets. This commentary summarizes the Project experiences and challenges in gathering data on allocation of resources for reproductive health at the domestic level in sub-Saharan African countries. One key lesson learnt from the Project experience is the need for strengthening tracking mechanisms in sub-Saharan African countries and making information on reproductive health resources and expenditures available, in particular the private sector resources.
authors.affiliation: African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) APHRC Campus, Manga Close Off Kirawa road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. esidze@aphrc.org.
authors.forename: Estelle M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Sidze
authors.affiliation: UNFPA Resource Flows Project, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI), P.O. Box 11650, NL-2502 AR, The Hague, The Netherlands. beekink@nidi.nl.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beekink
authors.affiliation: African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) APHRC Campus, Manga Close Off Kirawa road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. bmaina@aphrc.org.
authors.forename: Beatrice W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Maina
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D003625:Data Collection; D003906:Developing Countries; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005381:Financing, Organized; D006076:Government; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000191:economics; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007390:International Agencies; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D011247:Pregnancy; D060728:Reproductive Health; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000191:economics; D040841:Resource Allocation / Q000191:economics