AUICK Newsletter Issue 56, September 2011

AUICK 2011 Research Dissemination Meeting

AUICK held the 2011 Research Dissemination Meeting in Bangkok from 12-14 June, with the support of Kobe City Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The Meeting was arranged to disseminate the findings of the 2010 Research Project, “Providing Primary / Reproductive Health Services in Asian Urban Areas with Attention to Vulnerable Populations, Especially Women and Girls”. Participants were senior officials and academics from the nine AUICK Associate Cities (AACs), and the Meeting was also attended by UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office Officials, and members of AUICK’s International Advisory Committee (IAC).

"“Reproductive health problems remain the leading cause 
of ill health and death for women of childbearing age worldwide.” 

(UNFPA Annual Report 2010)

“If we can reach the poorest and most vulnerable populations with
reproductive health information and services, we can save 
many lives and improve countless others.” 

(Sexual and Reproductive Health for All: Reducing Poverty, Advancing 
Development and Protecting Human Rights; UNFPA Publication)

CONTENTS

1.     Aim
2.     Opening Remarks
3.     Participants
4.     Presentations
5.     Closing Remarks

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1. Aim

As a follow-up activity to the First 2010 Workshop, the AUICK Research Project, Providing Primary/ Reproductive Health Services in Asian Urban Areas with Attention to Vulnerable Populations, Especially Women and Girls, collected information and data on maternal and child health care related issues, in order to determine problems and the priorities assigned to them, and to identify successful practices. Based on the study, as well as other information accumulated by AUICK, senior city officials of health departments and academic experts from the nine AUICK Associate Cities (AACs) assessed information and lessons learned on reproductive health services and exchanged views and experience at the 2011 Research Dissemination Meeting. The Meeting was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in part to facilitate participation by UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO). Participants learned about the related and comparative activities of AACs, toward effective policy formulation to improve services in their cities.

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2. Opening Remarks

On behalf AUICK, Dr. Hirofumi Ando, President, welcomed the 2011 Research Dissemination Meeting participants to Bangkok, “The City of Angels”. He outlined the activities that AUICK has undertaken since 2004 with the financial support of UNFPA and the City of Kobe. These have included 14 workshop training programs, Action Plans to improve services in the AUICK Associate Cities (AACs), such as maternal and child health programs during emergency situations, and technical support to set up Management Information Systems (MIS) in five cities, which improve population data for policy formulation. 

AUICK was established in 1989, in response to the call by the first Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr. Rafael Salas, to promote the balanced development of small and medium-sized cities in Asia. Their populations are increasing more rapidly than those of larger cities, but there is limited information available on the issues affecting their sustainable development. As these cities have an important role to play in the overall development process, knowledge and understanding on their populations and current conditions are vital toward improving the quality of life for their citizens. Through the review of the 2010 Research Project, and the exchange of information and experience among its participants, the Research Dissemination Meeting assessed future needs to strengthen health service provision to vulnerable populations in their respective cities. 

Dr. Ando expressed his appreciation to the representatives of the AACs, the Members of AUICK’s International Advisory Committee, and to Mr. Caspar Peek (Regional Programme Advisor) and Mr. Christophe Lefranc (Technical Advisor) of the UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, for their participation in the Meeting.

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3. Participants

Participants of the 2011 Researh Dissemination Meeting weresenior officials and academics from the nine AUICK Associate Cities (AACs): Chittagong (Bangladesh), Weihai (China), Chennai (India), Surabaya (Indonesia), Kuantan (Malaysia), Faisalabad (Pakistan), Olongapo (Philippines) and Danang (Vietnam).

AUICK Associate City (AAC) Government Participants

Dr. Shahana Perveen 
   Health Officer, Health Department, Chittagong City Corporation, Bangladesh 

Ms. Xu Minlan 
   Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Shandong University at Weihai, China 

Ms. Sudha 
   Research Associate, Vellore I. T. (Institute of Technology) University, Tamil Nadu, India 

Dr. Kuntoro 
   Professor, Biostatistics and Population Study, Airlangga University School of Public Health,
   Surabaya, Indonesia 

Dato’ Dr. Marlia Binti Mohammed Salleh 
   Director, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Malaysia 

Dr. Masooma Sardar 
   Deputy District Officer, Health Headquarters Faisalabad, Pakistan 

Mr. Fernando Moselina Magrata 
   City Administrator, Administration Department, Olongapo City Government, Philippines 

Dr. Chuanchom Sakondhavat 
   Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University,
   Thailand 

Dr. Jitpinan Srijakkot 
   Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Thailand 

Mr. Nguyen Van Phat 
   Chief, Social and Cultural Affairs Division, Danang People’s Committee, Vietnam 

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh 
   Head, International Cooperation Division, Danang People’s Committee, Vietnam 

International Advisory Committee (IAC) Members 

Dr. Krasae Chanawongse 
   Founder of College of Asian Scholars, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thailand 

Dr. Gayl D. Ness 
   Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan, USA 

Dr. Haryono Suyono 
   Former Minister Coordinator for People Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Indonesia 

Dr. Prem P. Talwar 
   Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, India 

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4. Presentations

4.1. UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office

Mr. Caspar Peek
Regional Programme Advisor, UNFPA APRO
Mr. Caspar Peek explained the importance of local health service programs, and the partnerships needed for effective service delivery. »»More

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4.2. Asian Urbanization: New Challenges for Reproductive Health Services 

Dr. Gayl D. Ness, 
Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan;
Chairman, AUICK International Advisory Committee
Dr. Gayl Ness outlined challenges in reproductive health indicators and services, in the context of massive urbanization in Asia. »»More

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4.3. City Reports

Following guidelines and advice on the re-formulation of their Action Plans, Workshop participants were given time to draft, present and revise the Plans formulated at the Second 2007 Workshop and implemented in five AUICK Associate Cities (AACs). The results are shown on the following pages:

»Chittagong, Bangladesh, by Dr. Shahana Perveen
»Weihai, China, by Ms. Xu Minlan
»Chennai, India, by Ms. Sudha
»Surabaya, Indonesia, by Dr. Kuntoro
»Kuantan, Malaysia, by Dr. Marlia Binto Mohammed Salleh
»Faisalabad, Pakistan, by Dr. Masooma Sardar
»Olongapo, Philippines, by Mr. Fernando Moselina Magrata
»Khon Kaen, Thailand, by Dr. Chuanhom Sakondhavat and Dr. Jitpinan Srijakkot
»Danang, Vietnam, by Mr. Nguyen Van Phat and Ms. Nguyen Thuy Anh

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5. Closing Remarks

Important issues have emerged from the AUICK Research Project and Research Dissemination Meeting, which cities must address toward improved primary / reproductive health services. 

Local governments need to work with communities to increase awareness on available services. Population data is vital for policy makers to plan effective programs with medical leaders. 

The current culture of decentralization in Asian countries needs the commitment of mayors and skilled, motivated health workers at the local level. A strong central political system to make decisions needs an equally strong local administrative system to apply decisions as programs by people who know what is required at the local level. 

Reproductive health concerns a number of issues, of which maternal and child health care is one of the most important. High fertility means that women bare children early, frequently and late, all of which can kill mothers and children. 

Best practices should be shared among cities, to improve health such as by reducing fertility. Danang and Weihai have achieved near zero maternal mortality by giving high priority to reproductive health services. Khon Kaen Municipality arranged free monthly hospital examinations and immediate treatment for pregnant mothers, and reduced perinatal transmission of HIV to almost zero. (The Thai government has also massively reduced HIV infections through open acknowledgment, contraceptive promotion in the sex trade, provision of free anti-retroviral drugs and mobilization of communities to increase awareness.) 

All pregnant mothers should have access RH services at clinics, and mayors must work to achieve at least a 90% visit rate, to reduce the risks involved in childbirth and to detect and prevent against the incidence of HIV. 

As local administrators, many AUICK Research Project participants are on the front line of service provision, and know how to make programs work at the local level. The AUICK Action Plan system (see pages 18-23) encourages the formulation of policies based on shared knowledge, but their implementation requires the support of each city’s mayor and administration. With political commitment, or a mayor’s statement to support a plan, a city official can approach a development assistance funding agency for financial support, which will lead to increased political commitment to future plans.

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