IntraHealth president and CEO Pape Gaye is in Washington, DC, this week on Capitol Hill, meeting with congressional delegates and staffers to educate them about the state of reproductive health care and family planning investments in West Africa—including in Gaye’s native country, Senegal.

Gaye was joined by Dr. Bocar Daff, director of reproductive health services in Senegal’s Ministry of Health and Prevention, and Delphine Barry, the permanent secretary to the National Council on Population in Burkina Faso. The group of global health experts met with representatives of the offices of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator John Hoeven (R-SD), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY).

Reporter John Donnelly Talks to Gaye about Renewing US Track Record in International Family Planning

Gaye also sat down with renowned journalist John Donnelly in DC to discuss the future of global health and family planning work. His comments are captured in an interview published yesterday, “Family planning is a bargain when it comes to investments in health.” 

Speaking to Donnelly, Gaye said, “Family planning may be one of the best bargains in the world when it comes to investments in health. All the African countries are looking at Singapore or Thailand as models for them. Those countries made family planning a central part of their economic development strategy. We need our leaders in Africa to get fully engaged.”

Related coverage: 

Daff on the Hill: Promoting family planning in West Africa | Ministerial Leadership Initiative

A Message to Congress: Don't Shortchange Family Planning | Global Health Magazine

African Health Experts Visit Capitol Hill To Discuss Family Planning | Kaiser Global Health Policy Report