In order to improve the health of the mother and child, it is important to integrate family planning counseling in maternal and childcare services - provided at the primary health care level.

The Ministry of Health and Population’s Primary Care Sector and Family Planning Sector, in cooperation with UNFPA, organized a series of courses for Primary Health Care Sector's nurses to integrate family planning and counseling within the sector’s services, especially during antenatal care and vaccinations.

In this regard, 1440 nurses were trained to provide health messages and counseling services about pregnancy, family planning and vaccinations in the governorates of Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and Sharqeya during August and September 2020 as part of the EU Support to Egypt’s National Population Strategy project.

Family planning counseling aims at preventing unintended pregnancies and achieving appropriate birth-spacing, which will contribute to the wellbeing of the family and society.

The EU Support to Egypt's National Population Strategy project is funded by the European Union and aims at increasing the use of voluntary, rights-based family planning.

During the training, all precautionary measures were taken by using personal protective equipment, provided with the support of the European Union, and the application of social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.