This paper considers the impact of recent efforts to integrate the national family planning programme in Haiti into the Ministry of Public Health and Population as part of a broad-scale effort to improve rural health delivery. In spite of major investment over the last 5 years, there has been a decline in family planning activities, extremely low contraceptive prevalence and a lack of direction in the programme. The family planning management information system did not allow programme leaders and policy-makers to monitor programme results and take corrective action. Too rapid integration, based on little more than conventional wisdom, led to the disintegration of a family planning programme that had shown slow but steady growth and progress for 10 years. Steps needed to improve the situation are discussed.