Management Sciences for Health/ Health Commodities and Services Management Program, Kenya, Progress Report: 1st October 2012- 31st December 2012

In line with the USAID/Kenya mission's implementation framework and the Ministries of Health national health strategic plans, MSH/HCSM program focuses on health systems strengthening in the pharmaceutical and laboratory sectors in three key technical areas: commodity management support for Ministry of Medical Services (MOMS)/Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) and Health facilities, support to Pharmaceutical Policy and Service Delivery, and support to Laboratory Governance, Commodity Security, and Service Delivery. The program's work plan II for the period 1st October 2012 - 31st September 2013 marked the beginning of a new phase of activities, building on the initial work plan which covered an 18-month period running from 1st April 2011 to 31st September 2012. The strategy and focus for the program's work plan II is to scale-up interventions rolled out during the first work plan, strengthening and institutionalizing structures and systems for commodity oversight and management at all levels, and to build capacity of MoH counterparts laying the foundation for transitioning and takeover of some of the HCSM supported activities and initiatives for sustainability. The program's achievements during the quarter, categorized under the three key result areas/strategic objectives, include strengthened MOH commodity management. To support commodity management and security, the program working collaboratively with key stakeholders at national level, including priority health programs (NASCOP, DLTLD, DOMC, DRH), AfyaInfo, CHAI, NPHLS, KEMSA, and the MOH HIS division, initiated the process of developing a national integrated logistics management system. A consultant was engaged to develop the overall concept paper for the national LMIS, and discussions and advocacy for collaboration and support for the initiative were initiated. Additionally, the program continued to support MOH to take a greater leadership role in supply chain management and commodity security at the central level through various activities, including support to the priority programs to hold monthly commodity meetings and to generate monthly national stock status reports. The program also supported the national TB program and the DRH in various activities in support of forecasting and quantification, and provided technical assistance for initiatives addressing appropriate use of health commodities, patient safety, and product quality assurance. The program's work in commodity management support included providing technical assistance to the MOH to develop a national integrated logistics management system, and supporting the MOH to take a greater leadership role in supply chain management and commodity security at the central level. The program also supported the development of a national integrated commodity logistics management information system (LMIS) and provided technical assistance for initiatives addressing appropriate use of health commodities, patient safety, and product quality assurance. The program's achievements in support to Pharmaceutical Policy and Service Delivery included providing technical assistance to the MOH to develop a national pharmaceutical policy, and supporting the MOH to strengthen pharmaceutical services and policy at the central and peripheral levels. The program also supported the development of a national essential medicines list and provided technical assistance for initiatives addressing patient safety and product quality assurance. The program's achievements in support to Laboratory Governance, Commodity Security, and Service Delivery included providing technical assistance to the MOH to develop a national laboratory policy, and supporting the MOH to strengthen laboratory governance, commodity security, and service delivery at the central and peripheral levels. The program also supported the development of a national laboratory logistics management system and provided technical assistance for initiatives addressing patient safety and product quality assurance. The program's work in building capacity of MoH counterparts included providing training and technical assistance to MoH staff on commodity management, pharmaceutical services and policy, and laboratory systems. The program also supported the development of a national integrated commodity logistics management information system (LMIS) and provided technical assistance for initiatives addressing appropriate use of health commodities, patient safety, and product quality assurance. The program's achievements during the quarter were categorized under the three key result areas/strategic objectives, including strengthened MOH commodity management, support to Pharmaceutical Policy and Service Delivery, and support to Laboratory Governance, Commodity Security, and Service Delivery. The program's work in commodity management support included providing technical assistance to the MOH to develop a national integrated logistics management system, and supporting the MOH to take a greater leadership role in supply chain management and commodity security at the central level. The program also supported the development of a national integrated commodity logistics management information system (LMIS) and provided technical assistance for initiatives addressing appropriate use of health commodities, patient safety, and product quality assurance.