This year’s National Annual Review, led by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health (MoH), brought together more than 850 health professionals nationwide to discuss ways to advance public health in the coming year. SIAPS/Ethiopia’s APTS system was among the eight priority areas identified for discussion by the MoH—the first time a pharmacy area has been included on the annual review meeting agenda.
APTS is a package of data-driven interventions that ultimately result in a continuous supply of essential medicines, optimal budget utilization, and improved pharmacy services. Piloted in a hospital located in the rugged highlands of northern Ethiopia, APTS underwent rigorous testing in a number of health facilities with groundbreaking. The results of this testing included significant improvements in the culture of dispensing practice being delivered through highly congested windows; drug financing, minimizing stock-out and wastage of medicines; patient-, product-, and finance-related information; pharmacy workforce deployment and development; and customer service satisfaction.
APTS implementation is now a requirement for all public health facilities nationwide.
“I am impressed by the implementation of APTS that I observed firsthand at the Legehare Health Center,” said Health Minister Dr. Kesete-Birhan Admasu at the annual meeting. “APTS will be replicated at all public health facilities in collaboration with the regional health bureaus. The Federal Ministry of Health recognizes the impact-oriented support of Management Sciences for Health. The Ministry will be focusing on APTS implementation across all the regions.”
