Global credit crunch hits microfinance Nov 24, 2008
If commercial banks are affected, then the expansion of the microfinance program will be affected, said Mahabub Hossain, an executive director at BRAC, adding that its donor-dependent efforts in education, health care and family planning are at risk. I am deeply worried, said village health worker Hosne Ara, who works on programs for tuberculosis and family planning. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Report: County residents' live longer, but habits lag Nov 23, 2008
Blaha said his office often refers uninsured residents to the state's Badger Care program and family planning for health services. A free medical clinic also is being considered locally, he said. (Herald Times Reporter)
Salarymen Told to Save Japan by Raising More Children, Working Fewer Hours Nov 23, 2008
A survey by Japan's Family Planning Association of about 3,000 married people under age 49 shows couples are having less sex because long work days leave them with too little energy ... It's a tough challenge for workers, especially the middle- aged ones who have been taught industriousness is the most important virtue,'' said Dr. , chairman of the Family Planning Association, who gave details of the survey on married couples at a conference last week. (Bloomberg)
Concerns mount that budget cuts could worsen public health crisis Nov 23, 2008
Samantha Romero gets family planning advice from Grace Lutumba, a public health registered nurse in Hall County ... 5 million reduction for family planning services, which include abstinence education and birth control, as an example of the fallout from cutbacks. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
King County Council Restores Some Services Previously On Chopping Block Nov 22, 2008
The council restored money to operate the storefront sheriff's offices in unincorporated King County, to pay for major accident investigators, drug and mental health courts, public health centers, family planning clinics for nine months, and even the king county fair. I believe under the circumstances that we face this is a humane budget and it is certainly a responsible one, said Larry Phillips-Budget Chair. (KIRO TV, WA)
A 'Thrilled' Matthews Toasts with Ellen: 'To Barack Obama!' Nov 22, 2008
TURNER: Family planning ... So women are dying of unsafe abortions because they don't have any other form of family planning all over the world in the developing world. (MediaResearch.org)
Unintended Pregnancy Raises Risk of Future Ones Nov 22, 2008
Based on the current findings, they say, asking a woman about her history of unplanned pregnancy is a good way to estimate her risk of one in the future -- and whether she needs more help with family planning. "Ensuring access to family planning services, promoting usage of the most reliable forms of contraception, and providing appropriate support and resources is essential in the effort to prevent unplanned pregnancy," the researchers write. (MEDLINEplus)
Brazil targets illegal abortions Nov 21, 2008
The family planning clinic at the centre of this controversy operated for more than 20 years in the Brazilian city of Campo Grande before closing in 2007. At one point, the police were said to be considering several thousand cases of suspected abortions, but many of these fell outside the time limit permitted for legal action. (BBC News -- Americas)
Letter:President-elect's pro-choice stance troubles reader Nov 21, 2008
Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims. (Montana Standard, MT)
* World News Quick Take Nov 21, 2008
The Roman Catholic Church said yesterday that it has sufficient support in the Congress to defeat a controversial family planning bill promoting sex education and the use of contraceptives. The bishops are confident they have the numbers, said Maria Fenny Tatad, executive director of the lobby group Bishops-Legislators Caucus of the Philippines. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Letters to the editor (Nov. 20) Nov 21, 2008
How sad that family planning and social service programs that would reduce unwanted pregnancies are seriously underfunded. How sad that many insurers will pay for Viagra but not birth control pills that would reduce unwanted pregnancies. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
WSU nursing students to host benefit concert Nov 21, 2008
All proceeds will benefit Winona s Semcac Family Planning. For more information, e-mail Annie Standstad at. (Winona Daily News, MN)
Vietnam to enforce two-child rule Nov 21, 2008
But according to the deputy head of Vietnam's General Office for Population and Family Planning, Duong Quoc Trong, these rules have been "so general that people haven't understood it and have sometimes taken advantage of it". "The demographic boom is damaging the country's sustainable development," he said. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
American Lung Association of Arizona, Phoenix Fire and Maricopa County Public Health Urge Residents to Get Vaccinated Against the Flu Nov 20, 2008
The Public health department prevents health problems by providing free childhood immunizations and educating people on a wide range of topics, including nutrition, fitness, family planning, pregnancy, parenting, oral health, safe sex, tobacco use, and injury prevention; addresses health problems by screening for various illnesses and treating infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases; monitors health problems by tracking cases of infectious diseases in the... (PR Newswire)
Health board expands program Nov 20, 2008
As part of the same change, anyone being treated by the Family Planning Clinic who is not an adolescent and meets the income and insurance criteria will also be eligible for treatment at Community Care. Dr. J. Stanley Vetter explained that the definition of an adolescent is a floating determination, but that anyone from family planning that is under 18 would certainly not be eligible. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
Government asked to enforce law on abortion Nov 20, 2008
Dr. Jehu Appiah called for the encouragement of safe abortion at medical facilities to reduce maternal mortality and the inclusion of family planning commodities such as contraceptives and free medical care for rape victims under the National Health Insurance Scheme. He suggested the need for the strengthening of partnerships between government and NGO's aimed at funding and improving sexual and reproductive health programmes. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Got plans for the weekend? Nov 20, 2008
Chris Koza, Kokamide and Bri and Her Big Shirt, benefit for Semcac Family Planning, 8 p.m., Ed s (No Name) Bar, 252 E. Third St., Winona; free, but donations accepted. The Revelators, blues and rock, 9:30 p.m., Hei n Low Bar, 529 E. Wabasha St., Winona. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Angola: A Tradition of Strong Women Nov 19, 2008
Family planning is important here, where a woman has an average of six children. "In extreme poverty, people think that if you have 10 children, four may die, so it's better to have more. But we shouldn't be having children to die; we should be having children to live. Bringing a child into the world when you know they will be hungry, this is a crime," she comments. (allAfrica.com)
Credit crisis hurts microfinance programs in South Asia Nov 18, 2008
"If commercial banks are affected, then the expansion of the microfinance program will be affected," said Mahabub Hossain, an executive director at BRAC, adding that its donor-dependent efforts in education, health care and family planning are at risk. "I am deeply worried," said the village health worker Hosne Ara, who works on programs for tuberculosis and family planning. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Protests over a Bush rule to protect health providers Nov 18, 2008
The Ohio Health Department said the rule "could force family planning providers to hire employees who may refuse to do their jobs" a concern echoed by Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Under the Civil Rights Act, an employer must make reasonable accommodations for an employee's religious practices, unless the employer can show that doing so would cause "undue hardship on the conduct of its business.". (International Herald Tribune)
Liberals promise to pay for fertility treatments Nov 18, 2008
Liberal Leader Jean Charest has joined a long line of Quebec political and religious leaders seeking a role in family planning. The Roman Catholic Church spent centuries telling Quebeckers that reproducing was their religious duty. (Globe and Mail)
Health Department Reduces Clinic Hours Nov 18, 2008
However, Suffolk residents needing services such as family planning, immunizations, prenatal, or STD treatment on Fridays may call one of two other health departments in this area for an appointment: Isle of Wight Health Department, 402 Grace Street in Smithfield (757. 357. (WTKR.com, VA)
National Health Policy launched Nov 18, 2008
"On the average, all the health facilities visited four months after the inception of the policy are reporting over 300 percent increase in client numbers. He said the need to increase and upgrade infrastructure, increased staff, incentives for deprives areas and logistics were critical to the realisation of the gains of the programme. He said it required that in 2009, things were done differently to ensure better results and accelerate the attainment of targets, especially those related to... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Obama Likely to Restore Birth Control Funding Nov 18, 2008
WASHINGTON Among a slew of executive orders Barack Obama is said to be drafting, observers believe one may lift a ban on US funding for overseas family planning groups that even dare mention abortion ... First introduced by Republican president Ronald Reagan in 1984, the "global gag rule" cuts off US funding to overseas family planning clinics which provide any abortion services whatsoever, from the operation itself to counselling, referrals or post-abortion services ... When President George... (Newsmax)
Pill use 'may cut risk of cancer' Nov 17, 2008
Toni Belfield,Family Planning Association ... Toni Belfield, of FPA (Family Planning Association), said: "This study adds to the evidence that as well as providing a safe and effective form of contraception, the contraceptive pill can help protect against the risk of different types of cancer. "The study further confirms that for the majority of women who take the contraceptive pill the benefits far outweigh any potential risks. (Yahoo News -- Birth Control)
* Obama mum on fate of Guantanamo detainees Nov 17, 2008
Meanwhile, among a slew of executive orders Obama was said to be drafting, observers believed one may lift a ban on US funding for overseas family planning groups that dare mention abortion. I think theres a very good likelihood that he will lift the global gag rule, said Steven Mosher, head of the pro-life, non-profit Population Research Institute. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Deaths uncounted in China's tainted milk scandal Nov 17, 2008
But they wanted a larger family, bucking the one-child family planning limits. Xiaokai was "the more active" of the twins, said her 70-year-old grandmother, Li Xuan. (Yahoo News)
* Vietnam halts plan to hold local elections next April Nov 16, 2008
Decision making in Vietnam has long been top-down, with missives spread through loudspeakers and mass mobilization campaigns that inform people about party edicts on everything from new farm techniques to family planning. The new pilot project had been proposed a decade after the ruling party issued its so-called Grassroots Democracy decree, which outlined ways to expand citizens participation, oversight and transparency in local government. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
End the gag-rule games Nov 15, 2008
President Reagan first pushed the policy at a summit on world population issues in 1984, and his successor, George H. W. Bush, continued it even though Bush had once been a supporter of family planning. When President Clinton was elected, he repealed the policy during his first days in office. (Boston Globe)
Mandate sets priorities for Obama's to-do list Nov 15, 2008
One of Bush s first acts as president was to sign an executive order restricting how U.S. money for family planning could be used overseas. The intent of the rule first ordered during the Reagan administration was to forbid any U.S. money going to abortion services in poor and undeveloped countries. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Promote traditional music for national development - Chief Nov 15, 2008
The Movement helps to complement government's efforts on raising awareness on family planning, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and indiscipline. It has currently embarked on rural industrialisation on the production of ceramics, pottery wares, bricks manufacturing, Gari processing, Palm and kernel oil extraction. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
USAID donates to health Volunteers Nov 15, 2008
The supplies in the bags included insecticide-treated bed nets, family planning commodities, counselling cards and oral rehydration salt (ORS) to be distributed in the 30 USAID project districts in the seven southern regions of Ghana, which falls under a five year cooperative agreement signed between MOH through the Population Council and USAID in 2004. The donation directly goes to support the Ministry's Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) project which USAID was supporting... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Former minister Ajit Panja passes away Nov 14, 2008
Panja was elected to the West Bengal Assembly in 1971 and was Minister for Health and Family Planning in the Siddhartha Shankar Ray Government from 1972 to 1977. He rose to become the WBPCC president in 1980 and in the 1984 Lok Sabha polls, he was elected from the Calcutta North East constituency. (NDTV.com)
Disney sets out to make 'The Passion for kids' Nov 14, 2008
Japan is facing a crisis in the bedroom that threatens the very future of the nation, according to the head of the nation's Family Planning Association. Human remains are to be exhumed and re-buried deeper in the ground in double-decker graves to tackle a shortage of space for new burials, it has been reported. (Yahoo News -- 'The Passion of the Christ')
Contraception use among males dismal 0.1 percent: Official Nov 14, 2008
Men's active participation in the government's family planning program is minuscule, with just 0 ... "The active participation of the island's men in the family planning program keeps decreasing," Head of Bali's National Family Planning Coordinating Body (BKKBN), I Ketut Sutjita, said Wednesday ... Females still form the bulk of the family planning program's active base. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
GISD Announces Budget Fix, Unveils New Health Center Nov 14, 2008
The center provides mental health counseling, family planning, and other medical services at no cost to the students. A lot of people have to pay for it, and here you don't have to pay for anything, said eight-grader Melissa Melendez. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Pune: Couples line up for girl child Nov 14, 2008
This is because of an increase in awareness with regard to family planning, prevention of unwanted pregnancies and the c 00004000 hanging face of society that does not look at the female sex as weak, Abhyankar says. Girls are perceived to be more caring, affectionate and warm. (India Times, India)
Older couples 'use condoms less' Nov 13, 2008
Julie Bentley, chief executive of the Family Planning Association, said: "This research shows that no matter what age you are, or what type of relationship you are in, sexual health messages still apply.". Lisa Power, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "STIs are no respecter of age and although most media portrayals of sexual relationships involve young people, these figures show that it's important to support people to have a healthy sex life at every age.". (BBC News -- Health)
Cultural Practices Can Be Harmful, Says UN Population Fund Nov 13, 2008
A trusted source of newsand information since 1942 (Voice of America)
Rescued single mother of four discharged. Nov 13, 2008
Ms Arthur said she had learnt her lesson and hoped to register with the NHIS soon, adding "presently I am unemployed and my husband had divorced me for some time now. "I will visit the Shama clinic and opt for one of the family planning methods to prevent any future occurrence". Ms Arthur added "I may not be lucky the next time and could die and leave my children as orphans and their future could not be guaranteed. " "All my four children attend the Shama District Council School and I manage to... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Health center focuses on education, not emergencies Nov 12, 2008
The center serves mostly younger, lower-income patients with little or no health insurance, either children or young women, many of them seeking family planning services. There is no emergency room. (Anchorage Daily News)
Natural contraception 'effective' Nov 12, 2008
A natural family planning method is as effective as the contraceptive pill, German research suggests ... UK experts said natural family planning was effective - provided it was taught properly and carried out correctly ... Lead researcher Dr Petra Frank-Herrmann said: "We maintain that the effectiveness of STM is comparable to the effectiveness of modern contraceptive methods such as oral contraceptives, and is an effective and acceptable method of family planning.". (Yahoo News -- Birth Control)
US sex-abstinence drive 'flawed' Nov 12, 2008
Anne Weyman,Family Planning Association ... " Anne Weyman, chief executive of the Family Planning Association, said it was clear that the abstinence-only approach to sex and relationships did not work. "Robust contraception services, comprehensive sex and relationship education and a mature attitude to young people's sexuality are the key components in bringing down teenage pregnancy. (Yahoo News -- Birth Control)
Asante Kotoko Association donates to MCHH Nov 12, 2008
He urged Ghanaians to adhere to the principles of family planning so that they could take good care of their children. Dr Mrs Annie Opoku, Medical Superintendent in charge of the MCHH, thanked the donors for the gesture saying there was the need for corporate bodies and philanthropists to support government in re-sourcing health facilities in the country for efficient health delivery. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
National project on funding sexually reproductive health issues Nov 12, 2008
Dr Richard Turkson, Member of PPAG's National Advocacy Coalition Family Planning, said SRH was longer a health issue but a development issue of major importance as the country gears towards a middle income status ... Dr Turkson called for the inclusion of family planning commodities especially contraceptives in the NHIS and charged government to make it a priority as soon as possible. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Aides of U.S. president-elect Barack Obama and President George W. Bush denied Tuesday there had been any bargaining on economic plans during the two people's Monday meeting at the White House. • Obama to reverse many of Bush's policies Nov 12, 2008
Other controversial Bush measures Obama is expected to overturn are related to abortion and family planning. U.S. State Department officials and family planning groups such as Planned Parenthood said they expect Obama to overturn the "Mexico City" policy, first instituted by the Reagan administration. (Xinhuanet, China)
Obama poised to act swiftly Nov 11, 2008
In January 2001, on his first full day in office, Bush reinstated the so-called global gag rule, initiated during the Reagan administration and overturned by President Bill Clinton, which prohibited taxpayer dollars from being given to international family planning groups that perform abortions and provide abortion counseling. After Obama's victory, the Center for Reproductive Rights delivered a 23-page memo to his transition team, calling for "bold policy change.". (Albany Times Union)
Council Meeting Hears 103 Testimonies On King County Budget Nov 11, 2008
Cooper is giving the county council more than 550 letters from people who share her fear, and said she particularly does not want to see funding for family planning services cut. Cooper said that while the cuts may save money now, a possible increase in the number of unintended childbirths would cost the county more in the long run. (KIRO TV, WA)
Condoms to Trump Sexual Abstinence in Obama Global AIDS Policy, Aide Says Nov 10, 2008
Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Barack Obama will reverse U.S. family planning and AIDS prevention strategies that have long linked global funding to anti-abortion and abstinence education, a public-health adviser said ... Still, requirements that health workers emphasize abstinence from sex and monogamy over condom use have set back sexually transmitted disease prevention and family planning globally, said Susan F. Wood, co-chairman of Obama's advisory committee for women's health. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Benin: Women Left Out of New Govt Nov 10, 2008
Touching on this issue in a statement on United Nations Day, Oct. 24, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative Mamadou Dicko declared that "no country, no nation in history has developed leaving behind half its population."We cannot seriously contemplate developing the country while marginalising nearly 52 percent of its population -- the same 52 percent that produces more than half of the national wealth," he said.Women were elected to lead 3 out of 77 counties during the... (allAfrica.com)
Obama weighs quick undoing of Bush policy Nov 10, 2008
In January 2001, on his first full day in office, Bush reinstated the so-called global gag rule, initiated during the Reagan administration and overturned by President Bill Clinton, which prohibited taxpayer dollars from being given to international family planning groups that perform abortions and provide abortion counseling. After Obama's victory last week, the Center for Reproductive Rights delivered a 23-page memorandum to his transition team, calling for "bold policy change," including a... (International Herald Tribune)
Lystra: Watch post-Boomers burst out of the blocks Nov 10, 2008
They ll accept the Roe v. Wade status quo it s all they ve known while looking to family planning and emphasizing adoption. And what are the new fights. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Vital: Why The Government Want Us To Ditch The Pill Nov 10, 2008
The revolutionary change in family planning advice will see women being offered more reliable contraceptives such as implants or injections in the move which is aimed at reducing the rate of unwanted pregnancies. Last year in Scotland, there were a record 13,703 abortions, with forgetting to take the Pill or not using a condom correctly the most common reasons for unplanned pregnancies. (Glasgow Daily Record)
Gibson presents quarterly report to BH Commission Nov 10, 2008
County health nurse Paula Gibson presented her quarterly report, which included various care statistics for services provided including ages and stages, family planning, postpartum, follow-up baby care, and expanded Medicaid assessments. They have served 237 WIC clients, which is a marked increase from previous reporting periods. (Tyndall Tribune & Register, SD)
What advocacy groups are seeking Nov 9, 2008
Expand access to birth control and family planning. Eliminate federal support for abstinence-only sex education and support comprehensive programs that include teaching about contraception. (Boston Globe)
Obama Positioned to Reverse Bush Actions Nov 9, 2008
The new president is also expected to lift a so-called global gag rule barring international family planning groups that receive U.S. aid from counseling women about the availability of abortion, even in countries where the procedure is legal, said Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. When Bill Clinton took office in 1993, he rescinded the Reagan-era regulation, known as the Mexico City policy, but. (CBS News -- 60 minutes II)
Kenya: Surprise Surge in Population As Fertility Rises Nov 8, 2008
Still unawareFamily Health Options Kenya service delivery manager Esther Muketo said the organisation's reproductive health programme had suffered from a shift in donor focus from family planning to fighting HIV/Aids. But NCAPD Coast regional population coordinator Peter Nyakwara said many people are still unaware of available family planning options. (allAfrica.com)
Editor's Mailbag (Nov. 6) Nov 8, 2008
It's about republicans who chanted "Jesus has made me the leader, stop stem cell research, change Roe v Wade, God said invade Iraq, teach abstinence only in sex ed class, no money for family planning, etc. It's about the stupid party pushing God, guns and gays when actual hard work needed to be done.....it's about leaders who said "either you are with us or against us" and then claimed to be uniters. Thankfully, that is history. My belief is that from this point forward, America will be run by... (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
More of this story Nov 7, 2008
Winkler said one of the primary programs at the clinic involves family planning, many times with teenagers ... Education is a key part of the family planning work, Winkler said, and patients get to visit privately with a nurse and can receive birth control pills and condoms. (Searcy Daily Citizen, AR)
NPP woos women to vote for Nana Akufo Addo Nov 7, 2008
"We will take steps to ensure that all public sector places of employment provide good quality child-care facilities for nursing working mothers, increase access to safe, effective and affordable methods of family planning counselling and reproductive health care. "Improve access to retrovirals of all sufferers of HIV/AIDS, especially drugs that prevent mother to child transmission, seek the abolition of all negative cultural practices including widowhood rites and banishments to witches'... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
DFP reduce maternal and child mortality Nov 7, 2008
The DFP running mate said government of Mr Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi would help improve family planning acceptors rate from 22. 3 percent to 50 percent in the first four years of its administration. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Students collect Pennies from Heaven Nov 7, 2008
Through the 2009 United Way of Hill County campaign drive, the following funded partners will receive support: Boy Scouts, Court Appointed Special Advocate, Center for Mental Health, Child Care Link, Domestic Abuse Program, Feed My Sheep, Hill County Family Planning, Girl Scouts, Havre Community Food Bank, Hi-Line Therapeutic Riding Association, Hill County Council on Aging, Kitty Keepers, Hill County Meals on Wheels, Hill County Mentoring and Salvation Army. Donations and pledges from the... (Havre Daily News, MT)
Condom Week sets sights on youths Nov 5, 2008
National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) secretary Sudibyo Alimoeso said about a million of the officially recorded abortions were done by teens. Nafsiah called on all those under the age of 40 to abstain from free sex and drugs, to be loyal to one partner, and if they still chose to have sex, to take precautions by using a condom. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Nicholas D. Kristof: Rejoin the world Nov 3, 2008
We must cooperate with other countries on humanitarian efforts, including family planning. One of the Bush follies that has bewildered and antagonized U.S. allies has been the vacuous refusal to support family planning through the UN Population Fund. (International Herald Tribune)
Silly season Nov 3, 2008
First, abortion: Barack Obama approached this sensitive issue by proposing that we try to reduce abortions through sex education, family planning and promoting adoption, while keeping abortion safe, legal and rare. John McCain's approach. (NJ.com -- Times)
