UNFPA and Jumia launch partnership to expand delivery and increase access to reproductive health commodities during COVID-19 pandemic

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency and Jumia Uganda, the country’s largest e-commerce platform have today announced a new partnership that aims to increase access to reproductive health commodities and information through Jumia’s e-shop.

Clients will have access to a wide range of reproductive health commodities including male and female condoms, contraceptive pills, HIV self-test kits, pregnancy test kits and maternity kits (Mama kits) conveniently and privately. UNFPA and Jumia will also leverage Jumia’s large reach to disseminate information on sexual reproductive health.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the health and safety of women and young people. Uganda, like many other countries continues to grapple with the disruptions in sexual and reproductive health services and restricted access to contraceptives, caused by the pandemic.

In response to the crisis, UNFPA is working with trusted partners including Jumia, to ensure that individuals can access sexual and reproductive health services, and strengthen supply chains for contraceptives.

Mr. Alain Sibenaler, the UNFPA Representative noted that the partnership with Jumia is one of the ways that UNFPA is stepping up to protect the right to sexual and reproductive health information and services.

"We are building on our ongoing initiatives to expand the possibilities of using digital solutions to solve real-time problems. This type of digital solution is particularly vital right now as we respond to the challenge of COVID-19. It builds on an existing partnership we have with SafeBoda that enables users to order reproductive health commodities online," he explained.

To order for a product a user has to download the Jumia app or log onto the Jumia website. They can place an order from the reproductive health category on the e-shop and pay using a card, mobile money, or via cash on delivery. Once this is done, the Jumia driver picks up the item and delivers it to the user.

To ensure sustained access to reproductive health commodities during the COVID-19 pandemic, all reproductive health items ordered through the reproductive health category on the e-shop will be delivered free of charge for until January 2021. Thereafter users will still be able to purchase reproductive health commodities using the Personal Health e-shop from pharmacies listed on the shop app and pay a nominal delivery fee.

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