The EPN Biennial Forum

Theme: Accelerating Access to Quality Healthcare Services for ALL: Bridging the Last Mile

Date: 28 October - 1 November 2024

Venue: APC Hotel & Conference Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Co-Hosted by: Action Medeor - Tanzania

The 9th edition aims at providing a platform for key stakeholders and members to address the systemic challenges that hinder access to healthcare through knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices as well as lay a foundation for collaborative action in prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

This will ensure strengthened health systems that are resilient, equitable and efficient as well as advancing the principle of leaving no one behind.

The forum will constitute:

• a) A Pre-Conference

A focus on Antimicrobial Resistance;

• • (i). as a rising threat to treatment of infectious diseases and highlight strategies needed to combat it beyond the human health domain (One health Approach).
  • (ii). the concept of quality of antimicrobials with a focus on Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF) Minilab.

• b) Main conference

• • (i). Unpack the key contributors of access to health care focusing on the following health systems building blocks; healthcare workers, health products and technologies including diagnostics as well as health financing.
  • (ii). Address the importance of adoption of the regulations, policies and guidelines at two levels i.e. Drug Supply level and health facility level.
  • (iii). Discuss on the importance of working with community health promoters as well as advocating for access of healthcare at community level.

• c) Annual General Assembly

FORUM OBJECTIVES

• 1. Identify barriers hindering access and foster inter-sectoral collaboration in bridging the gap in access to quality healthcare, pharmaceutical services and health products/commodities
• 2. To explore innovative technologies and approaches that can bridge the gap in healthcare access and delivery
• 3. Share strategies and experiences among EPN members and key stakeholders on Quality Assurance as well as tackling Antimicrobial Resistance crisis through a One Health Approach. (Pre-Conference)
• 4. To highlight the need for advocacy strategies for policy reforms that can enhance access to healthcare services in remote communities in Africa.

METHODOLOGY

1. Pre-Conference
2. Plenary discussions
3. Break out discussions
4. Poster presentations

TARGETED PARTICIPANTS

1. Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network members
2. Multiple stakeholders including but not limited to EPN partners, EPN funders, the WHO/AFRO
   representatives, CDC, UHC/PHC policy makers, regulatory authorities’ representatives, drug
   supply organisations’ representatives, academia amongst others.
3. Pharmacy students

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• 1. Increased Awareness and Commitment from stakeholders to prioritize equitable healthcare access and address disparities at the last mile
• 2. Commitment to adopt strategic approaches and innovative solutions to break down barriers and address healthcare inequalities, leading to a repository of best practices that can be replicated in different contexts
• 3. Insights into strengthening health financing mechanisms for resilient drug procurement and supply chain management including strategies to optimize resource allocation leading to more sustainable and efficient healthcare systems
• 4. Recommendations on navigating policies, guidelines, and regulations to address health disparities, ensuring compliance, and promoting adherence to standards for improved healthcare outcomes
• 5. Partnership initiatives among diverse advocates, including youth, religious leaders, gender champions and civil society organizations, to amplify voices and advocate for healthcare rights effectively
• 6. A Call to Action on Bridging the Last Mile
• 7. A media briefing

Dates: October 28 - 29

Topic 1: The role of One Health approach in addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Africa
and in achieving Health Equity

The One Health approach plays a pivotal role in addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Africa while promoting Health Equity. By integrating human health, animal health, agrifood systems, and the environment, this collaborative and trans-disciplinary framework fosters close cooperation across sectors. It facilitates the design, implementation, and monitoring of AMR surveillance programs, advancing inter-sectoral collaboration to achieve better public health outcomes in each member state.
Embracing this holistic approach is essential for combating the detrimental impact of AMR and ensuring equitable access to health services

Topic 2: Strengthening the detection of Medicine Quality including sharing best practices in the Minilab  Network

This topic focuses on enhancing the quality assurance of medicines as an approach to address AMR. By addressing substandard and falsified essential medicines, this approach contributes to effective treatments, reduced illness, and healthcare savings that can be reinvested towards accessing healthcare. The Minilab Network, which employs simple test methods for rapid medicine quality verification and detection of substandard and falsified medicines in the field, plays a crucial role in this endeavour.

Date: 30-31 October

Topic 1: The imperative of Accelerating Access for All (Plenary session)
This session aims to explore the critical issues surrounding healthcare access and the role of various stakeholders in enhancing healthcare delivery to underserved populations. It will address the existing challenges that hinder access and Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement in healthcare delivery. It will also delve into the importance of enhancing the preparedness of the church health system to address healthcare challenges effectively, moving beyond traditional approaches and embracing modern strategies for healthcare delivery.

Lastly it will explore the role of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and communities in accelerating access to  healthcare services, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, empowerment, and collaboration in improving healthcare outcomes. By engaging in these discussions, the session aims to inspire participants to rethink traditional approaches to healthcare delivery, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and catalyze action towards achieving equitable access to quality  Healthcare services and health products for all, while emphasizing the pivotal roles of communities, CHPs, and innovative solutions in this collective endeavor at last mile level.

Topic 2: Breaking Down Barriers: Strategic Approaches and innovations in addressing healthcare
inequalities (Breakout session)
This session will concentrate on the following key areas: Exploring innovative approaches to enhance the skills and competencies of healthcare workers within the Church Health System, including training programs, mentorship initiatives, and continuous professional development opportunities; Discussing the role of Health Technology and Digital Health in Accelerating Access (Supply Chain ERPs, Laboratory Information System, Electronic Medical Records, etc.); Discussing strategies to expand and strengthen diagnostics lab capacities within the Church Health System; Addressing challenges in healthcare and the supply chain management of health products, and exploring solutions to optimize supply chain
processes, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure the timely delivery of essential medical supplies to healthcare facilities.

Topic 3: Strengthening Health Financing for Resilient Drug Procurement and Supply Chain (Plenary
Session)
This session will focus on the critical role of health financing in ensuring a resilient drug procurement and supply chain system to enhance access to quality healthcare. Discussions will revolve around; Sustainable Procurement for access to healthcare and quality and affordable medicines, Strategies for Sustainable Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) to achieve Supply Chain Efficiency in health facilities, Financing local Manufacturing for increased self-reliance and Strategies for Ensuring Equitable Health Insurance Coverage Across Socioeconomic Groups. The session aims to provide insights, share experiences, and foster discussions on strengthening health financing mechanisms for drug procurement and supply
chain resilience

Topic 4: Navigating policies, guidelines and regulations in addressing health disparities (Break out
session)
This breakout session will focus on two key areas; Leveraging pharmaceutical industry regulations to strengthen supply chain resilience and accessibility highlighting the importance of regulatory compliance & Overcoming challenges while maximizing opportunities in building a culture of policy and guidelines adherence in health systems through capacity building, monitoring & evaluation mechanisms as well as stakeholder engagement.

Topic 5: Harnessing the power of Advocacy to ensure equitable Access to Healthcare Services (Plenary session) (From Awareness to Action)
This session will explore the pivotal role of advocacy in promoting and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals. The session will specifically engage key advocates in society, including youth, religious leaders, gender champions and civil society organizations and Christian health associations showcasing the unique roles they play as advocates in championing healthcare access and driving social change.
This will be followed by a presentation of the call to action as well as the launch of the EPN Advocacy Strategy + Advocacy Tool kit for the Minilab

Learn more about these forums by reading their reports.

Voices from Forum 2018

Reports of the past Forums