Ebonyi State PHC-DRF Strategy Design (Version 1.0)

The scheme aims to enhance the governance, financial, and supply management of essential commodities at the primary health care level. The State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) collaborated with the USAID-funded Maternal and Child Survival Programme (MCSP) to develop the Ebonyi State PHC-DRF Strategy Design (Version 1.0). The strategy design process involved a structured, coordinated multi-sectoral approach that took into account the inputs of State and Local Government Health Authority officials and representatives of partner organizations within the State. The scheme was approved by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi, and overseen by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Uwazuruike. The PHC-DRF Directorate at the SPHCDA was established to oversee the daily implementation of the scheme and supervise the performance of the DRF operators. The PHC-DRF scheme is designed to ensure the institutionalization of a context-driven efficient drug management system. The scheme will lay the foundation for its sustainability and solvency, and the establishment of the PHC-DRF Scheme has set the tone for the State's readiness for the utilization of the anticipated Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in strengthening quality PHC delivery through improved essential medicines availability at its primary health care level. The strategy design process involved the development of a comprehensive framework for the PHC-DRF scheme, including financial features, drug supply features, and governance features. The financial features of the scheme include a price list and commodity markup, subsidies, exemptions, accounts and accounting, revenue remittance, and financial management. The drug supply features include the selection of commodities, procurement, storage and distribution, and stock levels. The governance features include the PHC-DRF Management Team, supportive supervision, stewardship and accountability, and quality assessment of the PHC-DRF scheme. The PHC-DRF scheme is expected to improve the availability of essential medicines at the primary health care level, enhance the quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services, and strengthen the adoption of the principles of PHCUOR. The scheme is also expected to contribute to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Ebonyi State.