From Fragmented Purchasing to System-Level Access: Lessons from the 12th ACHAP Biennial Conference – Madagascar
EPN participated in the 12
th Biennial Conference of the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP) held from 23–26 February 2026 in Antananarivo, Madagascar, under the theme “Rethinking Health Systems for Africa’s Future: Faith, Innovation, and Sustainability.”
The conference served as an important platform for dialogue on strengthening healthcare systems across Africa and addressing emerging challenges in sustainable health financing and service delivery.
During a Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) sponsored pre-conference session on sustainable health financing, EPN Executive Director Richard Neci contributed to a panel discussion on 
Leveraging Partnerships and Pooled Procurement to Drive Down MNH Medicine Costs and Increase Access – Lessons from the MNCH Project.
Key insights
EPN emphasized that moving from fragmented facility-level purchasing to pooled demand across faith-based health networks can significantly increase negotiating power and reduce commodity prices. Pooled procurement supports Revolving Drug Fund (RDF) sustainability and improves availability of priority MNCH commodities. Strategic partnerships with Drug Supply Organizations (DSOs), Ministries of Health, and national regulators are essential to strengthening sustainable pharmaceutical systems. Furthermore, collaboration with national regulators on quality monitoring enables identification and withdrawal of substandard products.
EPN is currently implementing a life-saving MNCH project in Kenya and Nigeria to ensure that essential health commodities, including the postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) bundle, are available, affordable, and quality-assured. The project also strengthens service delivery systems at the facility level.
Sustainable Financing
The interactive discussions highlighted a shared concern across African faith-based health systems: how to secure sustainable commodity financing amid shrinking donor funding and shifting global priorities. Key solutions that came out included the need for strategic partnerships, demand aggregation, cost transparency, digitization for commodity management, and alignment with national health priorities.
EPN remains committed to strengthening pharmaceutical systems in Africa and improving equitable access to life-saving medicines. Through strategic collaboration with ACHAP members, Christian Health Associations, DSOs, governments, and global health partners, EPN supports resilient and sustainable health systems.
