RH Commodity Security in Uganda: Perspectives of Ministry of Health

Anthony K Mbonye (PhD)Assistant Commissioner, Health Services (RH Division)

RH Supplies Coalition Meeting. London, United Kingdom

June 4, 2009

Trends of Reproductive health in Uganda

Policy environment National health Policy Health sector strategic Plan Reproductive Health policy Guidelines Reproductive health commodity strategy National development plan

Successes

1. Gained government’s commitment for RH suppliesa. Established a

functional budget line for RH commodities.

b. Negotiated for increased budget allocation for RH supplies.

2. Joined the Global RH Supplies Coalition

LLY MUGUMYA

Successes Cont’2. Established a coordinated procurement planning :

Develop annual Contraceptive Procurement Tables and review them on bi-annual basis.

Regularly track progress on Contraceptive Procurement Tables commitments from Government and donors/development partners.

Established a functional condom testing Unit

3. Developed national strategies that support RHCS: Roadmap for Accelerating Reduction of Maternal and

Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality 5-Year costed RHCS Strategic Plan, which include

misoprostol for Post partum hemorrhage Developed draft Operational Plan for re-introduction of

female condoms. Developed guidelines for distribution/supply of

contraceptives to the private sector (e.g. RHC in Essential Medicines List)

LLY MUGUMYA

Successes Cont’4. Developed functional coordination

structures for RHCS at national, district and facility levels.a. National RHCS Committee which links with Medicines

Procurement and Management Technical Working Group;

b. Incorporated RHCS into medicine and Therapeutic Committees at District, Hospital and Health Sub-District levels;

5. Developed system for warehousing & distribution.a. Integrated ordering & distribution of RH commodities

with other Essential Medicines List

b. Developed guideline for distribution of RH commodities to CSOs, and regularly support the distribution to CSOs.

ChallengesIncreasing funding gap for RHC

supplies

Challenge Heavy dependence on donor support

Challenges Cont’

5. Poor adherence to Contraceptive

Procurement Tables schedules by

donors and government that affects

availability of RH commodities.

6. Post shipment condom testing increasing

costs

7. Demand for branded condoms

8. Weak capacity for supply chain

management, especially National Medical

Stores & within districts

Opportunities

1. Growing support within parliament and Ministry

of Health to

prioritize RH in general and RH commodities in

particular.

2. Conducive policy environment: Roadmap, RHCS

Strategic Plan, and planned review of the Public

procurement and Disposal Authority etc

3. Joining of the Global RH Supplies Coalition.

Acknowledgements:

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA);

Population Secretariat, Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development

Department for International Development (DFID)

Ministry of Health, RH Division.