EPN - Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network

Netlink is the members’ email newsletter for the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN). Netlink aims to help members keep in touch with what is going on in the Network. If you have any information to contribute or comments on the content, or if you would like to unsubscribe, subscribe or recommend someone to receive it, please contact info@epnetwork.org

First thought:

MEMS hold training on promotion of rational use of medicines

Mission for Essential Medical Supplies (MEMS), an EPN member, in collaboration with INRUD – Tanzania, trained staff from MEMS, INRUD and faith-based hospitals on how to promote rational use of medicines (PRUM). The training which was held in Arusha from 4^th- 9^th December 2006 imparted knowledge to the participants on the concept of PRUM, indicators to monitor rational use of medicine and the adverse effects of the shortage of medicines on rational use of medicines.

The participants were equipped to investigate and monitor use of medicines as well as interpret a report of a baseline survey on rational use of medicines of faith-based organizations conducted by MEMS. From this report they could identify areas of good performance, identify priority areas and develop action plans. These areas of priority included the high rate of injection use, lack of hospital therapeutic committees and a lack of training in RUM for health workers.

At the end of the training, MEMS agreed to offer support to the hospitals through provision of reference materials including the Standard Treatment Guidelines, the national formulary and the national drug policy. They also offered to supply essential clinical diagnostic equipment to some hospitals and to provide training modules for on-site training on good diagnostic practices, inventory management and quality assurance of medicines and medical supplies.

On its part, INRUD agreed to incorporate MEMS data from the baseline into the national rational use of medicines (RUM) survey and include MEMS staff in the development of RUM national indicators. INRUD also agreed to participate in an evaluation to assess the impact of MEMS and hospitals in PRUM.

Supervision visits conducted for the PRUM competition study

A supervision visit to monitor and evaluate the progress of the implementation of the winning proposal in the promoting rational use of medicines (PRUM) competition held in Burkina Faso in 2004 was conducted from 20^th – 24^th October 2006.

The winning proposal: “Abusive use of antibiotics for acute respiratory infections of children under five years of age in the EELC health structures” was submitted by Dr Nathalie Am-Mying, a pharmacist from Oeuvre de Santé de l’Eglise Evangélique Luthérienne du Cameroun (OSEELC). During the supervision visits which were conducted by Dr. Am-Mying and the EPN Francophone Programme Officer two health posts were visited and the current situation of the study reassessed. The work plan was readjusted to indicate completion of the study by March 2007 which was necessitated by a long delay in the implementation of the study.

Advocacy skills training workshop held in Zambia

The EPN secretariat in conjunction with its member The Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), organized an advocacy skills training workshop from 27^th November – 1^st December 2006. The objective of the workshop was to equip the participants with knowledge on how to conduct advocacy for various issues affecting particularly Drug Supply Organizations (DSOs).

After the training some of the country specific advocacy issues identified included: PEPFAR’s Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) (Zambia), building and renovation of hospital wards and training of nurses and clinicians (Malawi), advocating for increased donors support (Rwanda) and government channelling of antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs through mission hospitals (Central Africa Republic). The participants are expected to develop advocacy briefs for implementation.

HIV/AIDS Treatment Literacy workshop a roaring success!

The eagerly awaited second HIV/AIDS treatment literacy for church leaders was described by participants as ‘insightful’. “This workshop was very appropriate for me as a pastor,” commented a participant. The workshop which was held from 13^th – 17^th November 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya had participants from Lesotho, Ethiopia, Botswana, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

The topics covered included adherence and counselling, HIV/AIDS advocacy issues, treatment challenges and children and HIV/AIDS. As part of the learning, the participants visited Kijabe Mission hospital, Coptic hospital, Nazareth hospital, Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) and Redeemed Gospel Church. These visits were necessary for the participants to have practical experiences of treatment issues including the possibilities and challenges of treatment. They also were to see church intervention on treatment in practice and to get encouraged to apply the lessons learnt in their own settings.

At the end of the workshop the participants developed country-specific action plans which will be implemented with follow up and where possible financial and/or facilitation support from EPN.

Coordinator and Programme Officer speak to students on HIV/AIDS treatment

For the second time this year, the EPN coordinator and EPN Programme officer for HIV/AIDS on 9^th November 2006 gave a talk to students at the St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya on The role of the church in HIV/AIDS treatment. The theology students who are in their final year of study termed the talk as ‘timely’ because it was given before the completion of their studies and subsequent resumption of duties in their respective churches. They also commented that they felt more at ease discussing issues related to HIV/AIDS treatment.

The university expressed a keen interest in having EPN speak to the students in future and on a more regular basis.

EPN Francophone members participate in workshop on HIV/AIDS

EPN members from Burkina Faso (ASAD) and Niger (UEEPN) attended a workshop on HIV/AIDS and gender from 14^th – 16^th November 2006 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The workshop was organized by Bread for the World (BfdW).

On the first day of the workshop, the EPN Francophone Programme Officer made a presentation on “Progression of the virus in the human body – how do ARVs work?” while SIDA KA TAA, a Network member from Burkina Faso made a presentation on the national situation of HIV/AIDS in Burkina Faso. Two Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) also spoke on their experiences in living with HIV/AIDS.

During the second day of the workshop, aspects of gender and HIV/AIDS were discussed with the participants engaging in group work to exchange experiences.

On the third and final day, the participants discussed how to integrate and mainstream HIV/AIDS activities into other project activities within their organizations.

EPN Francophone members attend regional congress

EPN members from Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin attended the Fourth congress of Union Chrétienne Médicale et Paramédicale (UCMP) from 1^st – 6^th September 2006. A new member from Guinea Conakry (Mission Philafricaine) joined the Network during the congress.

The theme of the congress which was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso was “With the King for his work.” This theme was divided into three sub-themes, namely “Lord, what do you want me to do?”, “Why are you here to do nothing?”, and “Evangelization in the hospital environment”. 

As the congress was a success Burkina Faso was recommended as the host for the Fifth congress.

EPN Francophone office to relocate to Nairobi

From March 2007 EPN will have both the Francophone and Anglophone offices in one location – Nairobi, Kenya. This decision was made following the setting up of a taskforce during the EPN Forum in May 2006 comprising EPN members to weigh the pros and cons of having the two offices in one place. After discussions the taskforce presented its findings to the EPN board members who after much consideration made a decision to have the offices situated in Nairobi.

In light of this decision, the process of searching for a Francophone Programme Officer is currently underway as the incumbent Hans Peter Bollinger will leave his position at the end of February 2007. Also to leave her position is part-time Bilingual Secretary Meelom Kaboré. The position of Programme Officer should hopefully be filled by March 2007, while that of the bilingual secretary will be filled after consultations by the board members.

On behalf of the Network members, the EPN secretariat would like to thank both Hans Peter and Meelom for their dedicated service since they joined the Network in July 2003 and September 2005 respectively. We wish them well in their future endeavours.

CHAZ and CSSC recipients of Global Fund grants

EPN members - The Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) and Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) have been highlighted by the Global Fund as some of the faith-based organizations in Africa that receive funds from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

CSSC makes a significant portion of the healthcare decisions in Tanzania and is a sub-recipient of the funds. Conversely, as a primary recipient, CHAZ has received nearly US$41 million over two years which it has distributed to 250 local faith-based organizations. It has grown to be one of the largest healthcare providers in Zambia, accounting for 50 and 30 percent of health coverage in rural areas and nationally respectively.

On behalf of the Network, the secretariat congratulates both the organizations on the excellent stewardship of the funds they have received.

Christian Health Associations conference to be held in Tanzania

Christian Health Associations (CHAs) in Africa have scheduled a conference from 16^th – 18^th January 2007 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Sub-themes for the conference include: the role of CHAs in the healing ministry, Human Resources for Health Retention Strategies and Health Management Information System (HMIS) data management. The Network will be represented at the meeting by the EPN HIV/AIDS Programme Officer, Jonathan Mwiindi and; a graduate of the PAT training, Ms. Sarah Byaruhanga.

Merry Christmas and a productive 2007!

We have come to the end of yet another busy year! This is the last issue of the Netlink newsletter for 2006. Staff members at the EPN secretariat both in Nairobi and Ouagadougou would like to thank all of our members, partners and friends for the continued and invaluable support that you have offered to us. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a productive 2007!

END