EPN

Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network

Réseau Pharmaceutique Œcuménique CCIH ANNUAL CONFERENCE May 26-28, 2007

Presentation by Dr S. Mwenda

The context of EPN work

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On average in Sub Sahara Africa, 40% of formal health care services are provided by church health services (CHSs). This is much higher in rural areas.

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Their significance requires that effort is made to ensure they are supported and informed as much as the public (govt.) health services.

EPN response …EPN is a worldwide network that tries to address this by supporting Church related Health Services (CHS) pharmaceutical-related needs.

Organizational Objectives

 Development of an active network with increased impact  Maximizing access to essential medicines for church health services and their clients  Increase capacity of church leaders and church related health services to respond to the massive challenge of HIV/AIDS treatment

EPN Members….

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They are currently 105 member organizations mainly Christian Health Associations, Church Health Services and faith-based drug supply organizations.

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Members are located in over 30 countries in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America

Diagrammatic representation of the network model Key: S=secretariat; CFP=country focal point; M=other members; arrows represent lines of communication (not all possible lines of communication are shown) .

CF P W W W S CF P W CF P W

Country boundary

M M CF P M M M

Country boundary

EPN: Participative way of working

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EPN programmes activities are developed with the involvement and participation of EPN members; this ensures that the programmes are relevant to the pharmaceutical needs and concerns of the members.

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Implementation, monitoring and evaluation is by the members through the country focal point organizations, while the EPN secretariat play a lead/coordinating role

EPN members developing a project

EPN Members working together…

Examples: 

In 2004 EPN members identified 25 recommended procedures and resources that need to be in place in order for CHSs to offer effective and efficient pharmaceutical services for the institutions and their clients.

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In 2006 EPN members from drug supply organisations developed monitoring and evaluation tools for DSOs

EPN partners….

EPN works with a wide range of partners that support similar goals to that of the Network and include:   Inter-governmental organisations Non-government organisations   Governments The private and public health sectors  Other faith-based organisations .

Examples of EPN partnership/Collaborations…1

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Multi-Country study of medicines supply and distribution activities of faith-based organisations in sub Saharan African countries 2003. In collaboration with WHO (involved 16 EPN member organisations)

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With aim of enhancing the capacity and sustainability of DSOs

Examples of EPN partnership/Collaborations…2

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Pharmacy Assistants Training (PAT): E. Africa

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160 graduates 1995 - 2004. (In collaboration with MEDS, CSSC, CHAK , UPMB and UCMB)

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PRDU/D&TC Courses 1999 - 2004. (In collaboration with WHO, CEDMAP, MSH)

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French PRDU 2003 and 2004. (In collaboration with WHO, MSH).

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HIV/AIDS treatment literacy training 2005 2007. (In collaboration with EHAIA)

Some Challenges faced by EPN in Partnership/collaborations

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Frequent human resources movement destabilize already created links with member and/or partnering organizations

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Lack of recognition of pharmaceutical staff as key health care personnel that need to be exposed to regular professional development courses and forums

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High expectations (e.g. of time) of already very busy people

Contact us…

Dr. Eva M. A. Ombaka Coordinator Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network P. O. Box 73860-00200 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 254-20-4444832 Fax: 254-20-4441090 Email: [email protected]

Website: www.epnetwork.org