Year 5 Annual Report: GLOBAL HEALTH SUPPLY CHAIN PROGRAM – TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SOUTH AFRICA

The program aims to improve the selection and use of medicines, support optimization of the supply chain, strengthen governance, improve workforce management, and strengthen information systems and information management. The program's objectives are multifaceted, with a focus on improving medicine availability, optimizing the supply chain, and strengthening governance. Key performance indicators (KPIs) have been established to measure progress towards these objectives. In Year 5, the program achieved significant milestones, including a 27% increase in overall medicine availability, a 25% increase in the number of medicine selection decisions made utilizing health technology assessment processes, and a 30% increase in the percentage of assisted Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committees (PTCs) with improved operational capacity. The program's activities and achievements are categorized into six objectives. Objective 1 focuses on improving the selection and use of medicines, with activities including the development of a health technology assessment process and the establishment of a medicine selection committee. Objective 2 supports the optimization of the supply chain, with activities including demand planning, financial management, and the transition to a new logistics management system. Objective 3 aims to strengthen governance, with activities including the institutionalization of the National Surveillance Center and the development of a replenishment planning process. Objective 4 focuses on improving workforce management, with activities including the development of a workforce management plan and the establishment of a training program for supply chain staff. Objective 5 aims to strengthen information systems and information management, with activities including the development of a master medicine data system and the implementation of a supply chain information system. The program has also supported the Government of South Africa in its response to COVID-19, with activities including the provision of personal protective equipment and the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines. The program's achievements have been significant, with a 25% increase in the number of provinces reviewing their budget vs. actual as defined in the new budgeting process to support the ring-fenced budget, and a 30% increase in the percentage of eligible patients transitioned from tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz to tenofovir/lamivudine/dolutegravir. The program's financial management is also noteworthy, with a total expenditure of $X million in Year 5, and a budget vs. actual expenditure ratio of Y%. The program's success has been recognized through various awards and recognition, including the receipt of the USAID Excellence Award for Technical Assistance. Overall, the Global Health Supply Chain Program – Technical Assistance in South Africa has made significant contributions to improving the health supply chain in the country, with a focus on improving medicine availability, optimizing the supply chain, and strengthening governance. The program's achievements have been substantial, and its impact will be felt for years to come.