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: “Worship the Lord your God and his blessing will be on your food and water.” Exodus 23:25

This edition includes:

EPN Forum: A wonderful success!

After several months of planning and high levels of anticipation, a highly successful EPN Forum took place as scheduled from 8th – 12th May 2006 in Tuebingen, Germany. The meeting kicked off with a welcome dinner on 7th May where the participants introduced themselves and the countries represented. By the end of the week-long Forum, over 80 participants from 29 countries had attended the meeting. 

The first day of the meeting highlighted the history of DIFAEM from how it was formed to its present day activities. Other highlights of the day included the role of the World Council of Churches and the Christian Medical Commission (CMC) in the healing ministry as well as the formation of Christian Health Associations (CHAs). There was also an interview session with key partners of EPN particularly those who were crucial in the formative years of the pharmaceutical programme. On the second day discussions focused mainly on EPN’s programme activities. In the afternoon participants worked in groups to identify areas that would need the attention of EPN in future. The third day was dedicated to the Annual General Meeting (Forum) while on the last two days the members were divided into two groups and trained on Monitoring and Evaluation and Networking respectively. Details of other activities are highlighted below.

The launch of the EPN website

The anticipation was almost tangible as Network members anxiously awaited the launch of the redesigned EPN website. The site was launched in Tuebingen, Germany during the Forum and 25 years anniversary celebrations. Although it is yet to be completed the website contains information on various issues including the Network’s programme areas, organizational strategy, newsletters and annual reports. To make the site a portal of information, Network members are encouraged to give their opinions on information that the website should hold. Feedback and comments can be sent to the secretariat through epn@wananchi.com, and the website can be viewed on http://www.epnetwork.org//.

Members issued with certificates

For the first time since its establishment the Network’s registered members received certificates which confirm their affiliation to the Network. The certificates which are subject to renewal every three years were issued in three categories: Full members, associate members and individual members. Full members are organizations that are directly owned by a church or part of a church or church-related organization, associate members are organizations, agencies or associations at national or international level that subscribe to similar values while individual members are approved by the board on a case-by-case basis. Certificates were also presented to Country Focal Points (CFPs). Certificates where either in French or English.

The Network has new a brochure!

EPN has developed a new brochure which gives details of its three programme areas. The brochure which was distributed to members of the Network during the recently concluded EPN Forum also includes the Network’s purpose, working methods and organogramme. Members are encouraged to use the brochure during their own organizations’ activities to promote the Network’s programmes particularly during the one-day “EPN 25” celebrations scheduled over the next several months in various countries.

EPN’s Annual report for 2005 published

The Network’s Annual report for 2005 has been published. The report which gives details of the activities undertaken in 2005 as well as accomplishments, short comings and future plans of the Network, was distributed to members and partners during the Forum in Tuebingen, Germany. It also includes a summary of the Network’s financial report and highlights important secretariat issues. Copies of the report are available at the secretariat.

EPN Country Focal Point (CFP) booklet published

The EPN Country Focal Point (CFP) booklet was printed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in April 2006. The booklet contains key pharmaceutical information from the CFP host organizations; the CFP contact person’s name and their contact details as well as brief socioeconomic data, health system indicators and HIV/AIDS indicators of each country where the host organizations are located. Copies of the booklet are available at both the Ouagadougou and Nairobi offices.

EPN’s response to PEPFAR’S Supply Chain Management System

During the EPN Forum, a representative from PEPFAR’s Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) made a presentation on the intended integration or establishment of SCMS in countries under the PEPFAR programme. According to the representative from SCMS, the system is designed to provide HIV/AIDS medicines, testing kits and essential drug supplies for preventing HIV infections and for controlling the onset of AIDS. Following this presentation, members of the Network developed a statement expressing issues of concern regarding the system and giving recommendations to address them. The statement has been sent out to members of the SCMS. Members of the Network are urged to send out the statement to all stakeholders including members of the media, drug supply organizations and church health services in their respective countries. To receive a copy of the statement kindly contact jnyagah@epnetwork.org.

Coordinator attends meeting on Supply Chain System

Several days after the Forum on 24th May 2006, the Coordinator attended a one day meeting on “Delivering HIV/AIDS Commodities to Customers; Insights and Partnerships for Seamless Supply Chains” organized by DELIVER, a project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She made a presentation which had been prepared with input from the Network’s members following the presentation made on PEPFAR’S SCMS during the EPN Forum in Tuebingen. It highlighted the issues and challenges in the quality, availability, accountability, information, collaboration and coordination in supply of medicines. The presentation was well received and it was referred to by several other presenters.

Editor’s note: Thanks to all members who contributed to the paper.

EPN membership: The benefits are real!

During the Forum, EPN members were requested to write down in a maximum number of five sentences the benefits they have received as a result of their membership with the Network. A few of the remarks are shown below.

“CBC [CAMEROON BAPTIST CONVENTION] has used the guidelines for effective and efficient Pharmaceutical services to develop its own strategic plan and the development of Standard Operating Procedures for procurement and production services.”

“As a recipient of the EPN newsletters I.M.A. appreciates being kept up to date with EPN and member organization activities.” “Belonging to EPN has given us [PROVIDA] the possibility to meet other organizations with similar aims and whose experience can be an example for us. EPN has shown us that organizing a Network and keeping it working is not impossible.”

“We [CATHOLIC HEALTH SERVICE] could mention the book donations, the frequent exchange of information and the provision of working tools such as the pharmaceutical guidelines. In only five sentences we can hardly exhaust all the benefits that we have derived from EPN!”

Other organizations that gave their comments are Inter-church Service Association (ICSA), Christian Health Association of Sierra Leone (CHASL), Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), Christian Health Association of Nigeria Pharmaceuticals (CHANPHARM), Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Central Pharmacy, Mission for Essential Medical Supplies (MEMS), Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), World Health Organization (WHO) and Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC).

Editor’s Note: It is gratifying to note that members have received positive and tangible benefits from their membership with the Network. Members are urged to keep up the good work that will see the Network grow further for another 25 years and beyond.

Treatment literacy booklet for church leaders in preparation

EPN members and Church leaders met on 29th and 30th May 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya to develop the outline of the treatment literacy booklet for church leaders. The booklet is expected to be completed by November 2006.

Coordinator speaks to students on HIV/AIDS treatment

In April 2006 the coordinator and the HIV/AIDS Community manager at AIC Kijabe hospital (an EPN member) were invited to St. Paul’s Theological College to lead a session on HIV/AIDS treatment literacy and the role of the church in treatment. The session was very well received and it is expected that this may become a regular session.

The International Day of the African Child

On 12th June 2006, the coordinator and communications officer participated in a radio discussion forum on child abuse to mark the International Day of the African Child. The forum whose objective was to create an opportunity to openly discuss child abuse was facilitated and hosted by the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). The panel at the forum was made up of: Rev. Dr. Mvume Dandala, the AACC’s General Secretary, who described the church’s responsibilities in ending child abuse, Ms. Sue Godt a Project Officer with UNICEF who described the UN’s role in protecting African children, Dr. Phillistah Onyango the Regional Director of The African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) and Dr. Frank Njenga who represented the medical community.

According to members of the panel, the main areas of child abuse in Africa include child soldiers, child labour and sexual exploitation. They also highlighted the role of the Church in advocating for the formation and implementation of child protection policies. The discussion forum was recorded in front of a live audience of invited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and church representatives. The programme was scheduled to be aired by a local Christian radio station on June 16th the official International Day of the African Child.

An EPN Wedding

The EPN Bilingual Secretary based at the EPN office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Miss Dubee Meelomlembay (Meelom) became Mrs. Meelom Kaboré when she wedded Jonathan Kaboré in a beautiful ceremony on June 3rd 2006 in Ouagadougou. The Programme Officer for Francophone Africa represented the Network at the ceremony which he described as colourful and full of music as the groom is a music producer in Ouagadougou and the bride an active choir member in her local church. On behalf of the Network, the Secretariat congratulates and wishes the newly married couple well!

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