National Policies, Strategies and Plans on Population and Reproductive Health

	National Population and Development Strategy
	National Reproductive Health Commodity Security Strategy
	National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy

The Lao Government, through its social policies, accords high priority to reducing poverty, balancing population growth with socio-economic development, and improving the reproductive health status of women, men and adolescents. Some of the most significant policies and plans of the last few years are described below.

The National Population and Development Policy

The Lao Government in 1999 adopted a new National Population and Development Policy (NPDP). The drafting and adoption of the NPDP was prompted by concern about sustainable socio-economic development and the effects of population growth on development and on health and education. For the first time in a Lao Government policy, the NPDP recognizes the importance of balancing socio-economic development with the rate of population growth, and promoting employment opportunities and rural development while preserving the natural environment.

The NPDP encourages couples to decide the number and spacing of their children reasonably and responsibly according to their circumstances. It also promotes equality in family responsibilities and decision-making, and seeks to ensure that women's health in particular is improved.

The NPDP directs government organizations and concerned ministries to provide adolescents with reproductive health information in schools and in their communities, using a variety of media. The Policy specifically calls for effective measures to reduce the number of unwanted and early pregnancies in the under-18 age group, and to educate young people about preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.

The NPDP is informed by the Millennium Development Goals, the commitments and Plan of Action adopted by the 1995 International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) and the 1999 ICPD follow-up meeting (ICPD + 5)>. However, the NPDP sets its own goals and specific objectives to be achieved by 2000, 2010 and 2020.

In 2001, Lao PDR adopted a 10-year Action Plan adopted that guides implementation of the policy across sectors. Nearly every activity in the current UNFPA Country Programme responds to the NPDP.

A full translation of the National Population and Development Policy can be found here.

The National Reproductive Health Commodity Security Strategy
(Draft)

According to the Reproductive Health Survey 2000, nearly 40 percent of couples in Lao PDR who would otherwise use family planning services could not do so. Access and cost were the main barriers. A partner's disapproval is rarely reported as a barrier.

Building on national development goals, policies and strategies, the Ministry of Health has taken the lead in drafting a National Reproductive Health Commodity Security Strategy, with the support of UNFPA. The strategy seeks to achieve a secure supply and choice of quality contraceptives and other reproductive health commodities to meet every person's needs at the right time and in the right place.

Together with the Ministry of Health, UNFPA is seeking US$2.9 million to secure adequate supplies of commodities to meet the needs of the public sector, along with additional funds for social marketing.

The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy

Population dynamics and reproductive health have important socio-economic impacts and must be taken into account in any attempt to alleviate poverty. Lao PDR's National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy includes population issues as a cross-sectoral priority, and aspects of reproductive health have also been included in the health, education and gender sector. The NPDP is mentioned in the Strategy as a reference for the population programme.