Harare, (New Ziana) – The Government is committed to ensuring that every Zimbabwean has easy access to essential medicines, diagnostics and other vital services, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Aspect Maunganidze has said.
He was speaking at the official opening of a Health Products Supply Management dialogue in Harare on Thursday.
The dialogue, held under the theme: “Harmonising Health Products Financing and Supply Chain Management Systems,” brought together key stakeholders in the health sector to discuss strategies for integrating financing mechanisms with efficient and sustainable supply chain systems for health products in Zimbabwe.
“We cannot shy away from the roles that we all play in improving the country’s health sector.
Our objectives are very clear. We want to review the current status of Zimbabwe’s supply chain system – highlighting best practices and gaps as well as reflect on opportunities that are available.
We want to examine the financing landscape for health products, focusing on efficient resource mobilisation, allocation and utilisation.
“We know most of these products are imported. So, without a robust financing mechanism, we will remain in circles. We also want to draw lessons from real facility level experiences and reflect on the operational realities on the ground.
We need to explore innovative strategies and governance mechanisms that reinforce both the financing and supply chain systems.
A robust supply chain system is essential for effective health service delivery,” he said.
Maunganidze added that the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe (NatPham), as the central agency for health commodities supply, plays a pivotal role by ensuring that hospitals, clinics and health facilities are stocked with medicines and supplies needed to save lives.
Challenges that affect NatPham, be it procurement, distribution or inventory management has a direct impact on patients, staff and the overall performance of the country’s health system.
“For NatPham to remain viable, it is essential that we operate under a correct and appropriate financing model that allows for funds to revolve.
A revolving fund ensures that purchased commodities are replenished timeously, guaranteeing sustainability, minimising stock-outs and protecting public resources.
Without such a model, disruptions in NatPham’s operations ripple across the entire health system delivery,” Maunganidze said.
He challenged administrators at health institutions to maintain a high degree of professionalism and avoid pilferage.
He said: “In the old times, it used to be common that once you have a health worker in the family, you are as good as having a pharmacy at your backyard.
But what does it reflect on the health supply chain and logistics? It meant that there was a lot of pilferage and unfortunately, that contributed to the current situation where we find ourselves in.”
New Ziana
