EPN Forum is a biennial event that brings together EPN members. It provides an opportunity where EPN members meet physically, learn, share and exchange experiences, knowledge and best practices on emerging issues in pharmaceutical health services within faith-based health facilities across. They discuss, develop ideas and make critical decisions in relation to the activities of the Network with experts, friends and partners. The Forum is also an amazing opportunity for the EPN members to fellowship, be inspired and network. Each Forum unpacks a pharmaceutical delivery topic with the aim of equipping members with current and expert information. While the EPN Forum is the main event, it is usually flanked by one pre-event and concludes with EPN Annual General Meeting. Since its inception in 2016, there have been 8 editions with the latest one being in 2022. 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 focus on Antimicrobial Resistance; FORUM OBJECTIVES METHODOLOGY TARGETED PARTICIPANTS EXPECTED OUTCOMES Dates: October 28 - 29 Topic 1: The role of One Health approach in addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Africa 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. 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) 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 Topic 3: Strengthening Health Financing for Resilient Drug Procurement and Supply Chain (Plenary Topic 4: Navigating policies, guidelines and regulations in addressing health disparities (Break out Topic 5: Harnessing the power of Advocacy to ensure equitable Access to Healthcare Services (Plenary session) (From Awareness to Action) Learn more about these forums by reading their reports. Promoting patient safety-Medication without harm
Antimicrobial Resistance and Non-communicable Diseases -Pharmaceutical challenges in the 2030 agenda
Maternal and Child Health Care -
Access to quality medicines priority needs, priority actions for today and tomorrow Health systems strengthening: Focus on pharmaceutical service delivery Pharmaceutical standards Ecumenical health services in action
representatives, CDC, UHC/PHC policy makers, regulatory authorities’ representatives, drug
supply organisations’ representatives, academia amongst others.
and in achieving Health Equity
Embracing this holistic approach is essential for combating the detrimental impact of AMR and ensuring equitable access to health services
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.
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.
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
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.
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 MinilabVoices from Forum 2018
Reports of the past Forums
YEAR
THEME
2022
The Future of Health Care in the Global South
2018
2016
2014
access to safe pharmaceuticals
2012
2010
2008
2006
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Learn more about these forums by reading their reports.
YEAR |
THEME |
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2022 |
The Future of Health Care in the Global South | |||
2018 |
Promoting patient safety-Medication without harm |
|
||
2016 |
Antimicrobial Resistance and Non-communicable Diseases -Pharmaceutical challenges in the 2030 agenda |
|
||
2014 |
Maternal and Child Health Care – |
|
||
2012 |
Access to quality medicines priority needs, priority actions for today and tomorrow |
|||
2010 |
Health systems strengthening: Focus on pharmaceutical service delivery |
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2008 |
Pharmaceutical standards |
|||
2006 |
Ecumenical health services in action |