Summary

Marie Stopes Bolivia approaches the subjects of sexual and reproductive health in men and women creatively through the provision of established and mobile services, aiding in the financing of services for low-income families, social marketing and participative, inclusive education.

Program goals

Their principle objective is that women, as well as men, are able to exercise their right to obtain truthful, timely information regarding safe, effective, accessible means of contraception.

Key program components

Service Delivery: Marie Stopes Bolivia established health services in 6 medical centers located in Bolivia's major cities (in 4 of 9 states). In addition, Marie Stopes has 5 Mobile Units which visit rural and remote semi-urban areas, reaching a total of more than 110 municipalities. One of the principal characteristics of Marie Stopes is the delivery of quality low-cost services, which, depending upon the economic condition of the client, are sometimes provided free-of-charge. External financing is relied upon in order to offer such services, but, more importantly, is the role played by cross-subsidies, where the service costs incurred at the established clinics subsidize the work done by the mobile units.

Call Center: A call center was established in 2010 to offer information regarding sexual and reproductive health and family planning and make referrals to MSI Bolivia clinics to both men and women. The call centre operates Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 7 pm and Saturday 9 am to 1 pm. The number for the call centre can be called by individuals anywhere in Bolivia. The cost of the call (USD $0.21/min) is shared between MSI Bolivia and the client. The call centre is promoted through media outlets (newspaper, radio, television), outdoor advertising (billboards, buses, taxis, university bathrooms), online (Facebook, blog), educational activities (schools, universities), posters in MSI Bolivia clinics and on all MSI Bolivia promotion materials (stickers, posters, key chains, brochures). The call centre currently has one call centre coordinator and three call operators (volunteers); 845 calls had been received by July 2011. Future plans for the call centre include offering appointment bookings to premium MSI Bolivia clinics and routing calls to specific operators depending on the topic, including post-abortion psychological support.

Social Marketing: Social marketing also plays an important role within the organization, and especially in the introduction to new contraceptive products. It also provides education in regards to sexual and reproductive rights, as well as sexual violence, under a participatory learning methodology. These subjects are presented in community spaces by the organization's local health promoters as well as the community's own local health providers.

Strategic Alliances: Marie Stopes Bolivia makes an effort to coordinate their work with the health policies and objectives of local and national governments, especially when considering the collaborative approach utilized for implementation of the Universal Maternal and Child Insurance (SUMI). Similarly, Marie Stopes Bolivia has key partnerships with many private institutions. For example, Marie Stopes organized inter-institutional working groups to achieve national objectives in the campaign against uterine cancer.

Marie Stopes Bolivia serves 100,000 clients each year in established health centers and 12,000 each year through mobile units.