Final Evaluation Report Of SECURING UGANDANS’ RIGHT TO ESSENTIAL MEDICINES (SURE) PROJECT

The project's overall goal was to ensure that Ugandans have access to adequate quantities of good quality essential medicines and health supplies. To achieve this goal, SURE focused on improving the policy, legal, and regulatory framework, capacity and performance of central and private not-for-profit entities, and district-level capacity building. The project's key findings indicate that SURE has achieved significant and sustainable results in improving the availability and access to essential medicines and health supplies. The evaluation team found that the Government of Uganda's (GOU) commitment to improving financing of health commodities and initiatives to promote the most cost-effective, efficient, and equitable use of available funds and health commodities has been strengthened. The Joint Medical Store's (JMS) streamlined business processes, information management system, and last-mile distribution system have improved the supply chain management roles and responsibilities of central and private not-for-profit entities. The evaluation team also found that the capacity and performance of target districts and USAID implementing partners have improved in their supply chain management roles and responsibilities. Structured supervision, performance assessment, and reporting on health commodity management and availability of key tracer essential medicines and health supplies have been implemented. Overall, access to essential medicines and health supplies has improved through innovative district-level interventions. The evaluation team recommends a continuation of the SURE project, as it has achieved significant advances in increasing Ugandans' access to essential medicines and health supplies. The project's focus on improving the policy, legal, and regulatory framework, capacity and performance of central and private not-for-profit entities, and district-level capacity building has been successful in achieving its goals. The project's achievements include the establishment of a centralized unit for quantification and procurement planning at the Ministry of Health, the creation of the Ugandan Medicines and Therapeutic Advisory Committee to integrate and update the list of medicines and health supplies, and the implementation of a logistics management information system. The project has also improved the quality of essential medicines and health supplies through the certification system for Good Distribution Practices and Good Pharmacy Practices. The evaluation team's recommendations for the future of the SURE project include continuing to support the Government of Uganda's efforts to improve the policy, legal, and regulatory framework, capacity and performance of central and private not-for-profit entities, and district-level capacity building. The project should also continue to focus on improving the availability and access to essential medicines and health supplies, particularly in areas where the deficit of results is still achievable. In conclusion, the SURE project has achieved significant and sustainable results in improving the availability and access to essential medicines and health supplies in Uganda. The project's focus on improving the policy, legal, and regulatory framework, capacity and performance of central and private not-for-profit entities, and district-level capacity building has been successful in achieving its goals. The evaluation team's recommendations for the future of the SURE project include continuing to support the Government of Uganda's efforts to improve the policy, legal, and regulatory framework, capacity and performance of central and private not-for-profit entities, and district-level capacity building.