Douglas Huber, reproductive health expert and a steering council member of Faith to Action Network, represented the Network in the 2014 EPN Forum in April 28th-31st, Nairobi Kenya. The forum attracted health professionals, leaders and religious leaders from Christian Health Associations, Medicine Supply Organisations and Christian Health Institutions and facilities in Africa and beyond. The theme of the forum was Maternal and Child Health Care with a specific focus on Access to safe pharmaceuticals. During the forum, Huber introduced Faith to Action Network and secretariat staff to the forum participants who were interested in learning more about the Network.

Douglas’s presentation titled Reproductive Health Aspects focused on presenting the findings of a study conducted by Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) on use of family planning methods among various faith groups in the USA. Concluding his presentations of the study, Douglas observed, the evidence was overwhelming that contraceptives prevent abortion. Douglas’s presentation titled Reproductive Health Aspects focused on presenting the findings of a study conducted by Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH) on use of family planning methods among various faith groups in the USA. Concluding his presentations of the study, Douglas observed, the evidence was overwhelming that contraceptives prevent abortion”.

The presentation elicited discussions from the plenary on whether contraceptives were part of the essential medicines list and whether medicine supply organisations can include them as part of their portfolio as well as how to involve faith organisations in family planning issues. Responding to the issue, Mirfin Mpundu, EPN’s Executive Director underscored that, Issues of family planning can no longer be ignored no matter what side of the aisle you are, alluding to the fact that faith organisations need to take an active role in the issue.