In the reporting period, Banja La Mtsogolo embarked on a new innovative strategy called Social Franchising with the objective of scaling up its delivery outlets to address the unmet needs of Family Planning (FP) and Reproductive Health (RH) services.

Social Franchising will be a contractual partnership agreement between the Franchisor (BLM), and the Franchisee (private clinics). BLM will provide technical service and equipment support and the private clinic or service provider agrees to provide high quality Family Planning/Reproductive Health services to its target population according to an agreed business format. Provision of training will be a key component of the Franchise package.

In the reporting period, two BLM managers were placed on a Study Program in order to effectively implement the Social Franchise concept in Malawi. Mr George Macheka and Ms Tiwonge Mhango went through an initial study tour from a partner program, Marie Stopes Kenya. Marie Stopes Kenya has a successful Social Franchise program that was branded as 'Amua'.

Following the initial Study Tour of the Amua Social Franchise Program in Kenya, Miss Tiwonge Mhango was nominated to be part of the second study of the GreenStar Social Franchise Program in Pakistan. The program in Pakistan is also very successful.

The BLM Social Franchising model will be called “BLUE STAR HEALTHCARE NETWORK”. Marie Stopes International will provide both technical and financial support for the start up and implementation of the pilot phase.
The project is part of BLM’s expanded Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Programme.

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