Capacity Building at CAFS and CEFOREP

Two of the primary regional partners for the SFPS/Training component are the Centre for African Family Studies (CAFS) and Regional Center for Training and Research in Reproductive Health (Centre de Formation et de Recherche en Santé de la Reproduction or CEFOREP). SFPS is developing institutional capacity as well as technical capacity at these institutions (see Briefing Paper on Institutional Development for details on institutional capacity building efforts).

With respect to technical capacity building in training, JHPIEGO/SFPS has signed subagreements with both institutions in order to carry out two kinds of activities. On the one hand, these regional institutions carry out technical assistance activities in support of SFPS national and regional training programs in reproductive health (RH). On the other hand, JHPIEGO/SFPS is carrying out training activities to reinforce and improve the technical capacity of these institutions to carry out training and training-related activities.

CAFS:

CAFS, an IPPF-affiliated institution mandates to provide regional training in RH, was selected as an SFPS partner based on its leadership role in this area for the West and Central Africa (WCA) region, especially in training of trainers. Since the beginning of the project, CAFS has provided technical assistance in to the project in the areas of IEC, adolescent health and training of trainers. Activities designed to reinforce the technical capacity of CAFS in training include: participation of staff at advanced training of trainers courses and at curriculum design courses. In addition, SFPS plans for CAFS to participate in a regional infection prevention course for regional specialists in April 1998.

CEFOREP:

SFPS/JHPIEGO was inspired by the Moroccan National Training Center in Human Reproduction to create a regional institution for the WCA region that provides regional clinical training in RH. Based on observation and assessment of the different university learning centers of the region, the Le Dantec gynecology and obstetric unit of the University of Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal was identified as the most promising site to replicate the Morocco model. CEFOREP was created as an independent institution affiliated with Le Dantec, giving them access to clinical trainers and training sites. Because CEFOREP is so young, SFPS/JHPIEGO initially invested resources into jumpstarting the program by providing some equipment and materials, as well as some support to staff. In addition, Tulane University is under subcontract to provide technical assistance for institutional development activities such as strategic planning workshops.

CEFOREP is primarily providing technical assistance to the project through clinical training of providers in the four target countries and in some case in Senegal. Activities that have been conducted by SFPS/JHPIEGO to build their technical capacity have primarily been clinical training skills courses for their consultants. In addition, SFPS/JHPIEGO plans to develop CEFOREP capacities for new techniques and technologies in order to introduce these to the region (e.g. U-technique removal for Norplant.)

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