SIAPS and its predecessor projects—Strengthening Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) and Rational Pharmaceutical Management (RPM) Plus—have worked extensively to introduce and support tools that capture dispensing and supply chain data from public health facilities. SIAPS supports the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to conduct periodic analyses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) data by using available data sources, specifically the Electronic Dispensing Tool (EDT) and national database. In order for such data to inform programmatic decisions, it needs to be actively disseminated to program managers. The Division of Pharmaceutical Services (Div: PhSs), with technical assistance from SIAPS and the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS), compiles a quarterly ART Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) feedback report, a quarterly Pharmaceutical Management Information System (PMIS) feedback report, and an annual supportive supervision visit (SSV) feedback report. Hard and soft copies of the ART LMIS and PMIS reports are disseminated quarterly to all regions of Namibia, and SSVs reports are disseminated annually.
To improve dissemination and stimulate discussions of results, SIAPS supported Div: PhSs to conduct the National Pharmacists’ Forum 2014. Findings from PMIS feedback reports and recommendations made by SSVs were discussed with participants of the forum, which took place from September 29 to October 3, 2014, in Otjiwarongo, Namibia. Participants included pharmacists and stakeholders from 13 of Namibia’s 14 regions. The forum also provided opportunities to disseminate, discuss, and analyze other pharmaceutical services information in reports, such as the standard treatment guidelines (STGs) post-assessment report, and to introduce new medicines added to the Namibia Essential Medicines List (Nemlist).
