Selma Hajri, MD, Private Physician, 1 rue de la mosque, La Marsa, Tunisa, Tunisia, 2161845212, hbracken@popcouncil.org

Since 1997, local researchers, in collaboration with the Population Council, have undertaken a series of medical abortion clinical studies throughout Tunisia. Results of these studies were disseminated locally in a series of medical abortion symposia, published in international scientific journals and discussed at international public health fora. This multi-faceted approach using both research and dissemination held build local support and create local, internationally recognized experts who have played an important role in garnering the support of key policy makers and public health officials in Tunisia. Together, these activities facilitated the approval of mifepristone medical abortion in November 2001, making Tunisia the first African country to approve and then introduce this method. Since approval, Tunisian researchers have continued to collaborate with local public health officials at the Office Nationale de la Population et la Famille on the development of informational booklets and brochures and innovative service delivery programs aimed at making abortion services more accessible to Tunisian women in both urban and rural areas. This presentation will explore the importance of developing local research and technical capacity for the creation of appropriate and sustainable reproductive health programs.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to explain the process of mifepristone approval in Tunisia and the role and strategies of local researchers in creating sustainable systems for the provision of medical abortion services.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.