SIDA, Marie Stopes sign K40.5m deal

THE SWEDISH International Development Agency (SIDA) and Marie Stopes Zambia have signed a four-year K40.5 million family planning contract aimed at increasing awareness and access to quality sexual reproductive health services among women and girls.

Head of mission and development cooperation at the Swedish embassy Karin Sverken, said more than 100,000 women and girls in Zambia were expected to have access to health services to avert maternal deaths, unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions in the next four years.

She applauded the Zambian government's continued efforts in improving access to high quality family planning services through its commitment to the FP2020 (Family Planning) standards and guidelines that influence sexual reproductive health in the country.

Ms Sverken was speaking during the signing ceremony of the four-year contract between SIDA and Marie Stopes Zambia.

She said Sweden was keen to work with the Zambian government to supplement efforts in improving healthcare services in the country.

Ms Sverken encouraged Marie Stopes to put to good use the resources and ensure the grant was channeled to intended programmes that maximised the benefit of the ordinary Zambians.

Marie Stopes Zambia country director Fikansa Chanda said despite Zambia recording an increase in the contraceptive prevalence rate and reduction in maternal mortality over the past decade, there was still a significant proportion of the population with limited or no access to health services.

He said Marie Stopes would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Health to complement government efforts.