Rapid Assessment of Pharmaceutical Management of Medicines and Supplies for Preventing and Managing Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Conditions in Rwanda: September 2012

The assessment aimed to evaluate the availability, accessibility, and affordability of essential medicines and supplies for maternal and newborn health (MNH) in Rwanda. The study was conducted by the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Rwanda. The assessment involved a survey of 30 health facilities, including hospitals and health centers, and interviews with storekeepers, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers. The survey aimed to collect data on the availability, procurement, distribution, and use of essential medicines and supplies for MNH. The assessment also evaluated the management support and supervision of the pharmaceutical management system. The results of the assessment showed that the availability of essential medicines and supplies for MNH was generally good, with 90% of the facilities surveyed having the necessary medicines and supplies. However, the assessment also identified some gaps in the pharmaceutical management system, including inadequate storage conditions, lack of knowledge about storage conditions, and inadequate management support and supervision. The assessment found that the majority of the facilities surveyed had adequate storage conditions for medicines, with 85% of the facilities having a temperature-controlled storage area. However, the assessment also found that some facilities had inadequate storage conditions, with 15% of the facilities having a storage area that was not temperature-controlled. The assessment also found that the majority of the facilities surveyed had adequate knowledge about storage conditions, with 80% of the facilities having knowledge about the storage conditions for ergometrine. However, the assessment also found that some facilities had inadequate knowledge about storage conditions, with 20% of the facilities lacking knowledge about the storage conditions for ergometrine. The assessment identified several areas needing improvement, including the need for better management support and supervision, the need for more effective procurement and distribution systems, and the need for better storage conditions and knowledge about storage conditions. The assessment recommended several actions to improve the pharmaceutical management system for MNH in Rwanda, including the need for better management support and supervision, the need for more effective procurement and distribution systems, and the need for better storage conditions and knowledge about storage conditions. The assessment also recommended the need for more training and capacity building for healthcare providers and the need for more effective monitoring and evaluation of the pharmaceutical management system. The assessment concluded that the pharmaceutical management system for MNH in Rwanda has several strengths, including the availability of essential medicines and supplies and the adequate storage conditions for medicines. However, the assessment also identified several areas needing improvement, including the need for better management support and supervision, the need for more effective procurement and distribution systems, and the need for better storage conditions and knowledge about storage conditions.