MinistryofHealth

NationalCouncilforPopulation
andFamily

ContraceptiveSecurityCommittee Family
PlanningProgram

Normsofthe NationalContraceptiveSecurityCommittee

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Introduction

Oneofthefunctionsofthegovernmentistheunderstandingofpopulation dynamicsinordertoincreasethequalityoflifeofall citizensthroughpublic healthservices.Populationdynamicsaffectseveryindividual,hisfamily,and society,in general.Forexample,familyplanningispartofsexualand reproductivehealth,andit relatesdirectlymaternal,perinatal,andinfant mortality,aswellastosexuallytransmittedinfections;specifically,acquired immunedeficiencysyndrome(AIDS).

TheContraceptiveSecurityCommittee(CS)aimstoenableandensure universalaccesstoacomprehensivepackageoffamilyplanningservicesforall segmentsofthepopulation.

Purpose

Thepurposeofthesenormsistoprovidetheorganizationandoperationofthe NationalContraceptiveSecurityCommittee,anditshallbe referredtoasCS CommitteeNorms.

LegalBase

The legalsupportofthesenormsistheConstitutionoftheRepublicandother lawsthatareintendedtoruletheNationalhealthsector.

TheGeneralHealthLaw No.42-01,datedMarch8, 2001,statesinArticle1that itsobjectiveisto regulateallactionsthatallowthegovernmenttoguaranteethe righttohealthforall,whichis recognizedintheConstitutionoftheNational.

Decree number xxdatedFebruary14,1968,createstheNationalCouncilfor PopulationandFamily(NCFPF), which isresponsibleforresearch,planning, coordinationandpromotionofpopulation,anddevelopmentcharacteristicsin order toimprovethelivesofwomenandtheirfamilies.NCFPFconstitutes thehighestauthorityonpopulationandfamilyplanningpolicies.

Scope

TheContraceptiveSecurity(CS)Committeeis subjecttothefamilyplanning programinthecountry,whichisundertheDirectorateforMaternal,Child,and AdolescentsoftheMinistryofHealthinNational.TheCScommittee willbepartoftheNationalstructuralhealthestablishment, conductingtheiractivitiesintheGeneralHealthServices,whichapply throughout theNationallevel.

GeneralProvisions

ChapterINatureoftheContraceptiveSecurityCommittee

Article1.TheCSCommitteeisthead hocadvisoryentityofthe countrythatassistsintheprocessofensuringtheavailabilityofcontraceptivesforthe Dominicanpeople,tomeetthedemandforcontraceptives,forthepurposeof promotingandensuringfamilyplanningservices,whichareoneofthepublic healthinterventionsthatpreventandcontrolmaternalandchildmortalityand sexuallytransmittedinfections,includingHIV/AIDS.Thiswillbeachieved through:

  1. Providinginformationtogovernmentagenciesandothergroupsregardingpresentand futurecontraceptiveneeds,consideringthe population’sdemandpatternsandpreferredmethods,aswellas changesincontraceptivedemandasa resultofpopulationgrowthand behaviorchanges.It willalsoprovideinformationaboutcontraceptive procurementmechanismscurrentlyusedinthecountry,including suppliers,costs, quality,andinnovationinthelogisticsmanagement systems.
  2. Providingadvicetothegovernmentandotherentitiestoprepareannual forecastsofcontraceptivesandcondomsforthepopulationserved,as wellasannualcostestimatesattheinstitutionalandnationallevels.It willalsohelpformulatenationalpoliciesandstrategiesthat contributeto contraceptiveavailabilityintheshort-,medium-,andlong-term.
  3. Supportingthegovernmentduringthebudgetcycleto securefundsfor contraceptivesprocurement.Thiswillbe madethroughadvocacyand consensus-buildingaboutthehealthoutcomesachievedbyinvestingin familyplanning.

Article2.CreationoftheCS Committee:Ona provisionalbasis,the CScommitteewascreatedby a ministerialresolutionissuedbytheMinistryof Health,andwillbeestablishedbypresidentialdecree.

ChapterIITheCSCommittee

Article3 Members.TheCSCommitteewillbeintegratedasfollows:

-Directors-

  1. A representativeoftheNationalCouncilforPopulationandFamily
  2. A representativeoftheDeputyMinisterofPublicHealth
  3. A representativeoftheDirectorateforMaternal,Child,andAdolescent
  4. A representativeoftheNationalProgramforthePreventionandControl ofSTI/HIV/AIDS
  5. A representativeoftheNationalAssociationofFamilyWelfare
  6. A representativeoftheNationalFamilyPlanningAssociation
  7. A representativeoftheCommissionerforHealthReform
  8. A representativeoftheEssentialMedicinesProgram
  9. A representativeoftheNationalPharmaceuticalAssociation
  10. A representativeoftheNationalHealthInstitute
  11. A representativeoftheNationalAssociationofPrivateClinics
  12. A representativeoftheNationalSocietyofObstetricsandGynecology
  13. A representativeoftheNationalComprehensiveHealthProgramsforAdolescents
  14. A representativeoftheNationalNursingAssociation

The CSCommitteewill inviterepresentativesfromothersectorstojointhe CS Committeeas counselingmembers,whowillparticipateaccordingtotheir availabilityandinterests.

  1. A representativefromUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)
  2. A representativefromtheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment(USAID)
  3. Other relevant representatives

TheCSCommitteemayinviteothercivilsocietyandpublic-,private,and commercial-sectorrepresentatives,aswellastheinternationalcommunity,to contributetotheachievementofitsobjectives.

Accreditation

Article4.Designation.EachmemberinstitutionoftheCSCommitteewill designatea representative,inwriting.Incaseofabsenceortemporarydisability, analternaterepresentativeshallbedesignatedin thesameway.

Article5.Substitution.Ifanactivememberceaseshisorherworking relationshipwiththeinstitutionthatshe/herepresents,she/heshallappointa successorwithinfiveworkingdays.

AddressandMeetingVenue

Article6.Address:The MinistryofHealthAddress(Insertaddress)MeetingVenue:TheSub-SecretariatofMinistryofHealthandNCFPFshallselectthevenueforCSCommitteemeetings.

ChapterIIIDutiesandObligationsOf CSCommitteeMembers

Article7.OrganizationoftheCSCommittee.Theorganizational structurewillcompriseallpublicandprivateinstitutionsandnongovernmentalorganizationsworkingonfamilyplanning/reproductivehealth.

This CSCommitteewillbeledbytheSub-SecretariatofMinistryofHealthorits representativeand/ortheExecutiveDirectoroftheNationalCouncilfor PopulationandFamily.

TheCSCommitteewillbedividedintothefollowingsub-committeesthatdepict thebasicelementsofcontraceptivesecurity:

  1. Coordination and Leadership
  2. Logistics Management
  3. Strategy and Policy
  4. Finance and Procurement of Contraceptives

Article8.Responsibilities.TheCSCommitteemembers,throughtheir representatives,willhavethefollowingresponsibilities:

  1. ComplywiththeresponsibilitiesandworkactivitiesdescribedintheAnnualWorkPlan.
  2. Attendordinaryandextraordinarymeetings,andparticipateintechnical andpolicydiscussionstoachieveCSinthecountry.
  3. ParticipateinactivitiesandtheworkplanningconductedbytheCS Committee.
  4. Keepinformedandreportbacktoher/hisrespectivesupervisorsat each institutionregardingCSCommitteepriorities,decisions,andactivities.

Article9.Functions.ThisCommitteeshallhavethefollowingfunctions:

  1. Developafive-yearstrategyandpreparethecorrespondingannualwork plan.Theplanswillbepreparedduringthelastquarteroftheprioryear. Theworkplanmustbeapprovedbyhalfthe members plusoneoftheCSCommittee membersandwillincludetheactivitiestobeconductedtohelpachieve CSin the country.
  2. Produceand/orsystematizeexistinginformationon currentandfuture contraceptiveneeds,procurementmechanisms,qualityandvarietyof products,suppliersandcosts,aswellasinnovationsin logistics managementsystems.Thesetasksserveasbasicinputforthesupport providedtothegovernmentandotherentities.
  3. Produceand/orsystematizeexistinginformationonpolicies,strategies, andnationalandinstitutionalprogramsthat contributeto contraceptive securityintheshort-,medium-andlong-term.Thesetasksarepartofthe technicalassistancetothegovernmentandotheragenciesthatmay requireit.
  4. Establishpartnershipswiththegovernmentandotherentitiestoadvance contraceptivesecurity,aswellastoprovideadhocadvicetodevelop strategies,policies,andactivitiesthatcontributetothe availabilityof contraceptivesforall segmentsofthepopulation.
  5. Supportgovernmentauthoritiesanddecisionmakersusingadvocacy toolsandpolicydialoguetobuild consensusonthe courseofaction conductedbythegovernmentandotherinstitutions.Decisionswillbe madethroughconsensusbuildingto securefundsforcontraceptive procurements,thereviewandupdateofessentialdrugslists(hormonal contraceptives),aswellas medicalandsurgicalsupplies(intrauterine devices,femaleand malecondoms),andalsothenationaland institutionalpoliciesand regulationsrelatedtocontraceptive procurement.
  6. Supportthegovernmentandotheragenciesto strengtheninformation, education,andcommunicationactivitiesthatwillimprovehealthier behaviorsamongstthedifferentsegmentsofthepopulation,and increasetheirknowledgeaboutthehealthbenefitsofaccessingand usingfamilyplanningservices.
  7. Preparequarterlyreportsofthecommitteeactivitiesanddistributethem amonggovernmentandotheragencies.
  8. Thecommitteewillidentifyinnovativeandeffectivewaystodisseminate informationandachievementsofCSin-country,bothwithinthe government(executiveandlegislativebranches),civilsociety,andthe privatesector.

Article10.FunctionsandResponsibilitiesoftheChairperson: ThesteeringrolewillbetheresponsibilityoftheDeputyMinisterofMinistryof HealthortheDeputyDirectorofNCFPF.

Thefunctionsandresponsibilitiesofthechairpersonarethefollowing:

  1. CoordinateandrepresenttheCSCommittee.
  2. BetheofficialspokespersonfortheCSCommittee.
  3. ConvenetheCScommitteememberstotheordinaryandextraordinary meetings,accordingto frequencyofmeetingsstipulatedherein.
  4. Facilitateandleadthemeetings.
  5. SignthedocumentsrelatedtothetopicsthattheCSCommittee coordinates.
  6. AssigntheresponsibilityandlocationoftheCSCommitteefilestooneof thememberorganizations.
  7. Complywithandreinforceallthenormsdescribedherein.
  8. Proposethepersonwhowillberesponsibleforthesecretarialmatters anddefineher/hisfunctionsandresponsibilities.
  9. Proposethememberswhowillmakeupeachsub-committee,votingwill belegitimatewhenhalfplusoneofthemembersarepresent.
  10. Leadthedevelopmentofannualandextraordinaryreportstobe submittedtothe MinistryofHealth.
  11. EstablishcollaborativepartnershipswiththeGovernmentandother relatedentitiestoadvancecontraceptivesecurityinaholisticwayandto make sureallsegmentsofthepopulationreceivefamilyplanning servicesandcommodities.
  12. PromoteinformationsharingwithotherCScommitteesaroundtheLAC regionandotherregions,tolearnbestpracticestosustaineffective logisticsmanagementsystems.
  13. Negotiatewithnationalandinternationalinstitutionsthetechnical assistanceneededtoperformthedutiesintrinsictotheworkoftheCS Committee.

Article11.FunctionsoftheSub-CommitteeofLogistics Management.

  1. Appointa coordinator,secretary,andrapporteuroftheSub-Committee.
  2. SendmeetingnoticestothemembersoftheSub-Committeeforordinary andextraordinarymeetings.
  3. PreparetheagendafortheSub-Committeemeetings.
  4. Recordtheminutesofmeetingscontainingdiscussionsand commitmentsagreedupon.
  5. Submit copyof the minutesofeachordinaryand/orextraordinarymeeting to the memberinstitutionsof theSub-Committeewithin sevendaysafter themeeting.
  6. Send for filingallordinaryandextraordinaryrecordsofmeetingsand technicaldocumentsoftheSub-Committeetotheinstitutionresponsible forkeepingtheCSCommitteefiles.
  7. CoordinatetheproposalsandactivitiesasdeterminedbytheSub- Committee.
  8. Gatherinformationoncontraceptiveconsumptionatthenationallevelto useasinputforpreparingneedsestimates,projections,and consumptiontrendanalysis.
  9. Analyzejointlywithallmemberorganizationstheestimatesand projectionsofallcontraceptiveneedsatthenationallevel.Thiswill includeforecastsbyorganization,publicandprivate,andby method;and willservetoassesspresentandfutureproductavailabilityin ordertotakeinformedandeffectivedecisionsto securecontraceptive availability.
  10. AdvisetheGovernmentandotherentitiesto strengthenlogisticsand servicedeliveryinformationsystemssothattheinstitutionsareableto generatereliable,timely,andqualityinformation.Thiswillenhancethe qualityofcontraceptivesecurityindicatorsandwillhelpmonitorsupply anddemandindicatorssuchas stockavailabilityandunmetneed.
  11. SupporttheFinanceandProcurementSub-Committeetoestimate financialresourcesthatwillrespondtonationaldemandfor contraceptivesandforallsegmentsofthepopulation.
  12. AdvisetheGovernmentandotheragenciestodefinequalitystandardsof eachcontraceptivemethodinorderto securequalityofproducts, regardlessoftheprocurementmechanismbeingutilized.
  13. Shareand/ordisseminatetheinformationonsuccessfulexperiencesin othercountriesthatmaybeusefulforprovidersoffamilyplanning services.
  14. Monitorandrequestinformationfromotherpublicorprivateinstitutions (NGOs)regardingtheircontraceptiveprocurementandavailabilityfor distributioninthecountry.
  15. Superviseandmonitorthelogisticswarehousingsystemsoftheservice providersandsuggesttechniquestopreservetheshelflifeofthe commodities.

Article12.FunctionsoftheSub-CommitteeStrategyand Policy.

  1. Appointa coordinator,secretary,andrapporteuroftheSub-Committee.
  2. SendmeetingnoticestothemembersoftheSub-Committeeforordinary andextraordinarymeetings.
  3. PreparetheagendafortheSub-Committeemeetings.
  4. Writetheminutesofmeetingscontainingdiscussionsandcommitments agreeduponwithintheSub-Committee.
  5. Submit copyof the minutesofeachordinaryand/orextraordinarymeeting to the memberinstitutionsof theSub-Committeewithin sevendaysafter themeeting.
  6. Send for filingallordinaryandextraordinaryrecordsofmeetingsand technicaldocumentsoftheSub-Committeetotheinstitutionresponsible forkeepingtheCSCommitteefiles.
  7. CoordinatetheproposalsandactivitiesasdeterminedbytheSub- Committee.
  8. Adviseontheformulation,evaluation,andmonitoringofpublicpolicies relatedtosecuringcontraceptivecommodities,includingthosethatmight negativelyimpactcontraceptivesecurityintheshort-,medium-andlong-term.
  9. Advisegovernmentagenciesandotherinstitutionstocoordinateand involveothergovernmentinstitutionsbeyondthehealthsector,aswellas theprivatesectortoaddressCSwithanationalapproachandthe participationofallpublicandprivatesectors.
  10. Adviseontheresearchneedsinareasrelevanttotheformulationand evaluationofpoliciesandprogramsthatcontributetocontraceptive security.Forexample,familyplanningmarketanalysis,medicalbarriers, paymentcapacity,clients’willingnesstopay,discontinuationofmethods, unmetdemand,healthdecentralization,andfinancing,amongothers.
  11. Help strengthenthecapacityofpublicandprivateinstitutionsintheuse ofdatafordecisionmakingregardingprioritiestoadvancecontraceptive security.
  12. Contributeto theeliminationofbarriersintheproduction,marketing,and distributionofcontraceptivesinthecountry,inaccordancewithlocal regulationsandtheglobalcontext.

Article13.FunctionsofFinanceandProcurementSub- Committee.

  1. Appointa coordinator,secretary,andrapporteuroftheSub-Committee.
  2. SendmeetingnoticestothemembersoftheSub-Committeeforordinary andextraordinarymeetings.
  3. Preparetheagendasforthemeetings.
  4. Recordtheminutesofthemeetingscontainingdiscussionsand commitmentsagreeduponwithintheSub-Committee.
  5. Submita copyoftheminutesofeachordinaryand/orextraordinary meetingtothememberinstitutionsoftheCSCommitteewithinseven daysofthemeeting.
  6. Send for filingallordinaryandextraordinaryrecordsofmeetingsand technicaldocumentsoftheSub-Committeetotheinstitutionresponsible forkeepingtheCSCommitteefiles.
  7. CoordinatetheproposalsandactivitiesasdeterminedbytheCS Committee.
  8. Advisethegovernmentandotheragenciestodevelopcostprojectionsto meetthedemandfor contraceptivesandcondomsforthepreventionof STI/HIV/AIDS;definestrategiesthatensurethefinancialresourcesfor the procurementofcontraceptives;quantifythecoststoguarantee quality,affordableandfreecommodities;andservicestothedifferent segmentsofthepopulation,underthesubsidizedscheme,includingthe affiliatesofsocialsecurity.
  9. Monitortheallocation,efficiency,andeffectivenessintheuseoffinancial resourcesforprocuring,distributing,anddeliveringcontraceptivestothe last mile.
  10. Theprocurementofcontraceptivecommoditieswillbeimplemented accordingtotheprovisionsoftheProcurementandFinanceSub Committee,comprisedofrepresentativesfromtheMinistryofHealth,Ministry ofAdministrationandFinance, NationalCouncilofPopulation,EssentialDrugsProgram andCentralLogisticsUnit, UNFPA, and (insert other relevant organizations).

ChapterIVTheWorkMeetings

Article14.Meetings.TheworkingmeetingsoftheCSCommitteewillbe ordinaryandextraordinary.

Article15.OrdinaryMeetings.The membersoftheCSCommitteewill meetregularlyeverymonth.The meetingappointmentshallbemadeeightdays in advance.In caseofanemergency,themeetingnoticewillbemadetwodays in advance.Themeetingnoticewillbe madebytheGeneralCoordinatorofthe CSCommittee.

Article16.ExtraordinaryMeetings.TheCSCommitteeGeneral Coordinatorwillconveneextraordinarymeetingsandthevenuewillbedecided accordingtoavailability.

Article17.Quorum.To carryoutthemeetingsoftheCSCommittee,the quorumwillbeestablishedwiththepresenceofhalfplusoneofitsmembers.

Article18.CommitmentsAndDiscussions.FortheCSCommittee's resolutions to be valid, they shall be made by absolute majority of the attendees, constituted by half plus one of the members.

Article 19.Special Vote. At the request of any member of the CS Committee, her/his vote will be recorded as a Special Vote when her/his vote does not adhere to the decision of the majority.

ChapterV Minutes

Article20.MinutesFiles.TheCSCommitteeanditsSub-Committeesshall keepthe minutesofordinaryandextraordinarymeetingsin theorganization assignedforthatpurpose.

Article21.RequirementsofMinutes.Theminutesshallstatetheplace, date,time,andpagenumberingwherethemeetingsarerecorded;thenamesof therepresentativesoftheinstitutionsattendingCSCommitteeand/orSub- Committeesmeetings; andthenamesofthoseabsent,aswellasthetopics discussedanddecisionsmadebytheCSCommitteeand/orSub-Committee. Foreachagendaitemdevelopedandapproved,theminuteswillcontaina summaryofthediscussions,theagreements,nextsteps,andcommitments reached.

ChapterVIMaterialResources

Article22.CSCommitteeResources.Becauseofitsad hocadvisory nature,aswellasitsmonitoringandsupportrole,inordertoperformits functions,theCSCommitteemaysolicit,subjecttothelaws,contributionsfrom governmentalandnongovernmental,nationalandinternationalorganizations, inkindorcashcontributionsofproductsor services;especiallyfromthose organizationsandinstitutionsthatareofficiallypartoftheCSCommittee.

ChapterVIIFinalProvisions

Article23.Modifications.ThesenormsmayberevisedbytheCS Committeewithinamaximumperiodoffive (5)yearsandthereviewshallbe proposedbyhalfplusoneofitsmembers,whosereviewanddecisionsshallbe agreeduponandrecordedin formalminutes.

Article24.Procedure.Theproposedamendmentsmustbesubmittedin writingtotheCSCommitteeGeneralCoordinator,andtheamendmentsshall be senttoMinistryofHealthandNationalPopulationCouncilLegalAdvisoryfortheiranalysisandopinion.Theywill,thereafter,returntheproposedamendmentswiththeirdecisionwithinafifteendayperiodandwillbe presentedtotheCSCommitteefortheiracknowledgmentandapproval.

Article25.Theprovisionsoftheseregulationsaremandatoryandall committee members shallcomplybythem.

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