Several regional bonds are slated for construction this year as the Health Ministry moves to ensure availability and timely distribution of medical drugs to health facilities.
The Materials Management Unit (MMU) is working toward 100 per cent drug distribution to local health facilities, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony told the National Assembly on Wednesday.
He was at the time responding to questions from shadow health minister Dr. Karen Cummings during the consideration of the budget estimate for the health sector.
Dr Anthony explained that a comprehensive analysis of the country’s drug distribution system was performed in collaboration with a USAID consultant to help map a more efficient distribution system, to grapple with various challenges involved in the storage and distribution of drugs to the country’s many public health facilities.
To support the process, the ministry’s budget also provides for the purchase of at least five trucks that would be used to help in the timely distribution of medication.
Minister Anthony said that originally, drug shipments would be available at the MMU and the regional facilities would need to visit the office to uplift the medication. Outside of that, if drugs had to be uplifted for the region, in some cases the facility would need to wait until transportation is available for the medication to be delivered causing significant delay.
The new trucks are expected to reduce the wait time and deliver the drugs to the regional facilities.
In relation to the bonds, Minister Anthony said that while there are such facilities available in the country, there is a need to upgrade them for bigger and better storage. He highlighted therefore that this year’s budget will cater for regional bonds as a number of these are slated for construction. The minister reiterated that implementing these measures will see faster pick up and a higher level of drug supplies being delivered.
Last year the MMU delivered some 76 per cent of drugs required by the nation’s health facilities. The Health Ministry over the years has faced challenges relating to the storage and distribution of drugs, leading to private suppliers having to get involved in aiding the government’s provision of the essential items.
Challenges also arose having to ensure that the private providers meet relevant conditions to ensure quality goods are delivered to the sector. The ministry had even encouraged health facilities to make efforts to construct and or upgrade their own storage facility.
The MMU provides medical supplies to over 370 health facilities nationwide.
