ICA Foundation donated 150 LNG-IUS to a local organization in El Salvador, BasicHealth, in October 2007. Basic Health International is a non-governmental organization collaborating with in-country partners to enhance quality of health care service provision. The organization provides training opportunities for local providers and medical students, conducts research on women’s health issues, provides community-level patient care, and collaborates at a national level to develop sustainable health care policies.

LNG-IUS devices are provided through rural women’s health care centers served by BasicHealth. Training on IUS insertion and provision counseling was conducted for a range of health care providers, and materials were provided to selected centers to enhance the training and method provision. Patients interested in receiving an LNG-IUS are referred to ObGyns in rural health units and urban clinics.

There is continual enthusiasm and confidence focused around successful device provision through BasicHealth. There is also mutual interest in expanding current distribution. Partnerships with the Ministry of Health may extend the project’s reach and additional donations may take place in the near future.