Detailed Mechanism Funding and Narrative

Years of mechanism: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Details for Mechanism ID: 10389
Country/Region: Namibia
Year: 2013
Main Partner: Management Sciences for Health
Main Partner Program: NA
Organizational Type: NGO
Funding Agency: USAID
Total Funding: $984,669

Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) is a follow-on project to Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems. The project is implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) in Namibia. SIAPS builds the capacity of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) of the Government of Namibia (GRN) and other local institutions to manage pharmaceutical systems and service delivery of HIV/AIDS commodities in all regions of Namibia. The project contributes to three strategic areas of the Partnership Framework (PF) in all regions of the country: governance, systems strengthening and care and treatment, specifically addressing antimicrobial resistance, access to medicines, and the appropriate use of medicines.

SIAPS advocates for the absorption of technical staff seconded to MOHSS to reduce costs. In addition the project shares operational costs, leverages synergies of other mechanisms managed by MSH in Namibia and encourages MOHSS to co-fund selected interventions to be more cost-effective. SIAPS will focus on institutional leadership to strengthen local ownership and mentor relevant staff. These steps will be strategies for transition. In this regard, SIAPS is in line with USAID GHI strategic focus on transition as well as improving access.

In order to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems SIAPS has developed measurable indicators which have been used to track the progress of the project. SIAPS will monitor data quality assurance and outcomes and document case studies and success stories which will be disseminated. An end-of-project evaluation will also be conducted.

No vehicle purchases envisaged.

Funding for Strategic Information (HVSI): $74,694

This is a continuing activity of the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) project, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) aimed at supporting program monitoring and data quality through improved an electronic dispensing tool (EDT), Pharmacy Management Information System (PMIS), and the data quality of the information from these systems. This intervention will strengthen pharmaceutical care services by supporting evidence-based decision making, and therefore cost effective and sustainable ART delivery.

With COP12 funding, SIAPS will also continue to promote operational research that will advance and sustain best practices and successful pharmaceutical management interventions deployed during the life of the predecessor project in Namibia, as well as support the dissemination of results and the adoption of best practices.

SIAPS will continue to support the integration and harmonization of the EDT data into the planned integrated health management system of the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) as well as strengthen linkages between the EDT and ePMS data systems for ART monitoring. In addition, SIAPS will strengthen the capacity of the MoHSS to use and disseminate data and operational research activities to enhance evidence-based decision making and strategic planning in pharmaceutical management. SIAPS will support the Pharmacy Management Information System (PMIS) through review, upgrades, staff training, analysis and utilization of PMIS data for policy and management decisions.

The geographic coverage of this activity is national including all the 13 regions of Namibia.

This activity is linked to activities under HTXS, PDTX, and OHSS.

Funding for Health Systems Strengthening (OHSS): $186,575

This continuing activity of the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) project, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) will continue providing technical assistance to the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) and the Pharmacy Council to be effective as well as cost efficient in monitoring the quality, safety and effectiveness of medicines and ensure competent personnel to provide pharmaceutical services.

A strengthened NMRC and Pharmacy Council will contribute towards enhanced quality and availability of ART, tuberculosis and other essential medicines and services in Namibia. SIAPS will also support the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) Division of Pharmaceutical services in monitoring and evaluating implementation of the National Pharmaceutical Master Plan (NPMP) in order to ensure sustainability of ART and other essential public health programs.

Support will be provided for the monitoring of the implementation of the NPMP through technical assistance, advocacy and supportive supervision visit. In addition, SIAPS will Support the NMRC and HIV and tuberculosis treatment programs to utilize evidence generated from the Therapeutic Information Pharmaco-Vigilance Center (TIPC) and post marketing surveillance in the implementation of quality assurance and risk management strategies that mitigate sub-optimal patient adherence and poor treatment outcomes through technical assistance and training.

SIAPS will strengthen governance through support to the Pharmacy Council of the Health Professions Councils of Namibia to develop and implement standards for professional licensure, pharmacy practice and accreditation of pharmaceutical service providers in Namibia.

The geographic coverage of this activity is national including all the 13 regions of Namibia.

This activity is linked to activities under HVSI, PDTX and OHSS.

Funding for Treatment: Adult Treatment (HTXS): $529,084

This is a continuing activity of the Systems for Improved Acess to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) project, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) to support initiatives for increasing ART coverage in both the public and private sectors and facilitate engagement of the private sector in ART service delivery.

Using COP12 funding, SIAPS will work with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) to build on previous achievements and consolidate and hand-over mature activities to the MOHSS.

SIAPS will support the revision and roll-out of adherence interventions (treatment literacy materials, routine adherence monitoring tools) and implementation and monitoring of the essential medicines list (NEMlist) that was fully transitioned over to the MOHSS in 2010, standard treatment guidelines that were handed over to MOHSS in 2011, and the guideline technical committees . The transition of these activities has been accomplished, and in COP12 SIAPS will focus on ensuring the long term sustainability of the transitioned activities and develop/strengthen sustainability indicators (metrics) to monitor performance of the pharmaceutical services (development, dissemination, implementation, compliance monitoring and systems for revisions).

Support will also be provided to the monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and strengthening the monitoring of interventions for HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) including analysis and use of early warning indicators (EWI). This includes strengthening the MOHSS Response, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (RM&E) to improve the quality of data to ensure better monitoring of patient outcomes.

SIAPS will strengthen human resource capacity and systems for the delivery of sustainable pharmaceutical services that support ART service delivery (focusing on in-service and pre-service training of staff on new pharmaceutical management guidelines).

Activities will support public-private partnerships for better pharmaceutical service delivery by enhancing availability of Standard Treatment Guidelines and continuing professional development in the private sector through the Health Professions Council and The University of Namibia and by strengthening data collection of adverse events to medicines. The capacity of the University of Namibia, School of Medicine/Pharmacy Department and the MOHSS to conduct pharmaceutical related operational research through INRUD/Namibia Chapter will be strengthened. This activity will be transitioned to the University of Namibia and the Health Professions Council.

The geographic coverage of this activity is national including all the 13 regions of Namibia.

This activity is linked to activities under HVSI, PDTX and OHSS.

Funding for Treatment: Pediatric Treatment (PDTX): $194,316

This continuing activity of the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) project, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) will focus on ensuring adherence to ART in pediatrics, which is often complicated by several factors. These include inadequate tools for monitoring pediatric adherence and the often low treatment literacy levels of caregivers who may make errors in the administration of medicines to children and who may not fully appreciate the need to adhere to prescribed treatment and dosing schedules.

With COP12 funding, SIAPS will continue to provide support for information, education and communication material to promote pediatric adherence. SIAPS will continue supporting the development of models of care that enable adequate management and follow-up of pediatric ART cases by improving data collection and analysis to inform interventions that will improve adherence and treatment outcomes among children. SIAPS will leverage the use of the electronic dispensing tool (EDT), to collect and analyze pediatric ART data that will inform improvement of treatment services for HIV infected children.

Support will be provided to sites in reviewing gender disaggregated pediatric ART data to identify hard-to-reach pediatrics with increased focus on adolescents in need of and on ART in their catchment areas to ensure optimum health outcomes through technical assistance, training, equipment and EDT support.

In addition, SIAPS will support implementation of adherence interventions in children and strengthen national capacity for delivery and monitoring of pediatric ART services through technical assistance, training and data analysis.

The geographic coverage of this activity is national including all the 13 regions of Namibia and will focus on the district hospitals which cover more than 90% of the pediatric clients on ART.

This activity is linked to activities under HVSI, PDTX and OHSS.