Angola

Project Dates: September 2011 – September 2016

Background

Malaria accounts for an estimated 60% of hospital admissions, 35% of overall mortality in children under five, and 25% of maternal mortality in Angola. The prevalence of HIV in Angola in 2010 was estimated at 2% (224,000 people). Stock-outs of antimalarial and other commodities were frequent, and there was a need to improve the availability of and access to these lifesaving commodities.

The USAID-funded SIAPS Program implemented interventions under the leadership of the Ministry of Health (MOH) and in collaboration with local partners. Interventions focused on enhancing governance, capacity building, information for decision making, and pharmaceutical service delivery.

Project Highlights 

An assessment of the Angola supply chain system recommenced improving warehouse management processes, building human resource capacity, updating operating procedures, and implementing key performance indicators at the Central Procurement Agency for Medicines and Medical Supplies (CECOMA). The National Directorate for Medicines and Equipment (DNME) faced challenges in building a database that could be used to determine the types of medicines to be registered.

Developed the National Drug Regulatory Authority: The DNME developed a new Medicines Regulatory Unit to regulate and guide product registration.

Workshop with key CECOMA warehouse staff for development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Photo credit: SIAPS/Angola [click to enlarge]
Enhanced the capacity of CECOMA: To achieve uninterrupted access to commodities, SIAPS supported CECOMA to improve its warehouse management processes, update its procedures, and improve its human resource capacity.

Financing for Pharmaceutical Supply Strengthening: SIAPS supported the MOH to develop its first comprehensive national supply chain strategy for health commodities.

Improvement of pharmaceutical service delivery: SIAPS worked closely with the National Reproductive Health Program, CECOMA, United Nations Population Fund, and Pathfinder to conduct regular physical inventories at the national level and prepare forecasting and distribution plans.

Trained 20 provincial technical staff as trainers in pharmaceutical management:

Results

Over the past five years, Angola has achieved sustainable improvements in its supply chain management system through capacity building of institutions and individuals across key health systems. The country has improved the availability and use of selected public health commodities.

General System Improvements

– Key supply chain and regulatory considerations informed the 2012–2025 National Health Development Plan, national strategic plans, and national annual plans

– Coordination of pharmaceutical logistics systems has improved, and supply chain managers hold regular meetings for joint planning and information sharing among public health programs

Improved Pharmaceutical Management of Malaria Commodities

Malaria Trends in Huambo Province from 2004 to 2014 [click to enlarge]
– Established and capacitated the national quantification technical working group for malaria health commodities to improve stakeholder involvement and coordination in forecasting and supply planning

– Capacitated the national malaria control program to receive and monitor the distribution and monthly stock status of USAID/PMI-funded commodities

Improved Pharmaceutical Management of HIV/AIDS Commodities

– Established and capacitated the national quantification technical working group for HIV/AIDS commodities to improve stakeholder involvement and coordination in forecasting and supply planning

– Improved the availability of HIV/AIDS and related commodities in PEPFAR-focus health facilities in Luanda

Project Legacy 

Left to right: DNME Director Dra. Katiza Mhula Mangueira opened the SIAPS end of project event. Joining her were SIAPS Deputy Director for Country Programs Dr. David Mabirizi; Angola MOH Secretary of State Dr. Eleutério Hivilikwa; US Ambassador to Angola Helen LaLime; and US Embassy/Angola General Development Officer Paul McDermott. Photo credit: SIAPS/Angola [click to enlarge]
The SIAPS pharmaceutical systems strengthening approach aligned with USAID’s global health goals and with USAID/Angola’s goal of ensuring health services delivery. SIAPS has played a key role in helping Angola strengthen the pharmaceutical system by achieving a sustainable supply of locally trained pharmaceutical personnel, better stock monitoring of pharmaceuticals at health facilities, and better management and use of pharmaceutical information for decision making. SIAPS has contributed to Angola’s efforts to achieve an AIDS-free generation, eliminate malaria, and end preventable maternal and child deaths by ensuring the continuous availability, appropriate management, and rational use of related health commodities.

Resources