Currently, counseling about contraceptives and the prevention of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) in district health centres is receiving much more attention and such services are being actively promoted. However, it is clear that counseling skills still need to be improved to ensure that the best possible service is delivered.. Thus, Tamsubantre had collaborated with Cordaid project to make a plan for providing supportive supervision for health workers in district health centres. The aim of this project is to improve the counseling skills of health workers and ensure that they adopt consistent counseling practices. This activity will take place over this year at Cordaid sites in My Hao (Hung Yen), Tien Yen (Quang Ninh), Phu Luong (Thai Nguyen), Van Quan (Lang Son), Dien Ban (Quang Nam), Ngu Hanh Son and Cam Le (Da Nang).

To facilitate this process, last year Tamsubantre counselors took a field trip together with Cordaid’s project officer to provide support in Cam Xa and Hoa Phong commune health centres in My Hao district, Hung Yen province. This activity provided an opportunity for experienced counselors, with training in psychology and commune health workers to share their experiences and assess their respective strengths and weaknesses. This proved very useful and laid the ground work for further visits and training, the next trip will take place in Dien Ban, Quang Nam province and it is hoped that this will be equally successful in helping to improve counseling services.