Information Systems and Coordination for Managing HIV and AIDS Related Commodities

The West and Central African regions have a low HIV prevalence. Because of the low number of patients on ART and limited technical and financial support, these regions have experienced frequent stock-outs of ARVs posing a serious risk to patients on ART and increasing the risk of HIV drug resistance in the region. As a key step in addressing this challenge, the West Africa Regional Health Office of the US Agency for International Development is providing support through the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) Program to address the recurring pharmaceutical supply management issues by supporting the regional coordination mechanism and the development and implementation of an early warning system (EWS) for antiretrovirals (ARVs) and HIV and AIDS related commodities.

As part of project startup, SIAPS conducted a situational analysis in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Niger, and Togo to gain an understanding of the current capacity for HIV and AIDS commodities management and supply. Also analyzed was the readiness of the HIV and AIDS commodities information management systems to provide the information necessary for routine monitoring of HIV and AIDS product availability in the region.