February 3, 2020 

Greetings,

As we begin the new year, we are pleased to note that, in 2020, Gynuity Health Projects will be operating as a 501c3. Our Spotlight feature details more information about this exciting transition. We look forward to new and continued collaborations under this new structure.

Warm wishes,
Beverly Winikoff
President
New and Noteworthy
Gynuity study on uterine balloon tamponade selected as featured article in BJOG
Gynuity’s recent article, “The effectiveness and safety of introducing condom‐catheter uterine balloon tamponade for postpartum haemorrhage at secondary level hospitals in Uganda, Egypt and Senegal: a stepped wedge, cluster‐randomised trial,” has been handpicked by the Editor of BJOG to be a featured article in their December issue. The article is included in the monthly Editorial podcast and will be available for readers to access for free.
Landscape assessment of anti-hypertensive treatment conducted in 3 countries
Gynuity recently completed a landscape assessment of the availability of blood pressure devices and antihypertensive medications in Uganda, Mexico, and India, supported by a grant from the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC). In all three countries, challenges were identified on both the supply and demand sides. For example, we found few national level mechanisms to ensure the procurement of good quality blood pressure devices and a lack of clarity around existing financing mechanisms for the replacement or upkeep of procured equipment. In addition, the antihypertensive medications found in many surveyed facilities were not in the dosage or formulation recommended by international treatment guidelines. Over the past months, results of the exercise were shared in presentations for local stakeholders in the three project countries, the members of the RHSC Maternal Health Caucus and LAC Forum, and the Ending Eclampsia Symposium. A full project report is available here .
TelAbortion website launches in Spanish; TelAbortion project expands to 10 sites
As part of our effort to improve access to abortion care, especially among populations who may face barriers, we recently launched the Spanish version of our TelAbortion website . Both the English and Spanish versions can be accessed at Telabortion.org. In other exciting news, the project recently added two new sites, Planned Parenthood of Montana and Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, bringing the number of states with TelAbortion services to 10.
Dr. Winikoff awarded RCOG Fellowship
In February, Dr. Beverly Winikoff will become Fellow ad Eundem of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. Per the Royal College, “This award acknowledges the highest level of dedication and achievement in the development of women’s healthcare.” Dr. Winikoff is most grateful for this honor and looks forward to attending the Fellows Ceremony.
New Materials
Mifepristone's Multiple RH Indications: An overlooked Opportunity for Expanding Access
Gynuity, with funds from the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC), conducted a landscaping analysis in six countries to assess the global interest in alternative indications for mifepristone, geographic and market priorities for such an approach, and perceived barriers to pursuing registration for additional indications. Global social marketing organizations and manufacturers, as well as key stakeholders, were interviewed as part of this project. The full report is now available. In addition, we now have the summary brief in Spanish as well as English .
New Peer-Reviewed Articles
Mary, M., Diop, A., Sheldon, W.R., Yenikoye, A., Winikoff, B. Scaling up interventions: Findings and lessons learned from an external evaluation of Niger’s National Initiative to reduce postpartum hemorrhage . BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 19, 379 (2019) doi:10.1186/s12884-019-2502-5.

Durocher, J., Dzuba, I., Carroli, G., Mirta Morales, E., Aguirre, J. D., Martin, R., Esquivel, J., Carroli, B., Winikoff, B.  Does route matter? Impact of route of oxytocin administration on postpartum bleeding: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial PLoS One. 2019 Oct 1, 2019;14(10):e0222981. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222981. eCollection.
Spotlight On...
Gynuity’s new 501c3 status
In 2019, we continued working to achieve the goals that we laid out in our 2018 Strategic Plan guiding our work through 2023. Advances on our programmatic goals are evidenced in the highlights shared throughout 2019, such as the expansion of our medical abortion telemedicine work in the US and three additional countries. We also shared evidence and lessons learned on approaches to management of postpartum hemorrhage, closing out 15 years of work in this arena. 

The fourth goal of our strategic plan (working towards a stronger and more effective organization to achieve our programmatic aims) has resulted in a primary focus on strengthening the longevity and viability of Gynuity. To that end, we have transitioned into a 501c3 non-profit organization which may afford new collaborations, funding streams, and long term institutional stability.

As part of this endeavor, we welcome our new Board members , Ms. Pamela Barnes and Dr. Anju Malhotra! They join our founding members Dr. George F. Brown, Dr. France Donnay, and Dr. Beverly Winikoff. We thank them for joining us to help us meet our goal of making safe and effective reproductive and maternal health care accessible to all.
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