Press Release

Minister of Health Accepts Newly Renovated State-of-the-Art, ARV Medical Warehouse Facility From PEPFAR

On Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 a.m., U.S. Ambassador Dennise Mathieu turned over the newly renovated  State-of the –art , ARV  medical warehouse facility  at the Central Medical Stores, to the Honorable Richard Kamwi , Minister of Health and Social Services.  The Ceremony took place at the Central Medical Stores, Windhoek; No. 10 Voigts Street. 

For Namibia to provide top notch care and treatment in the fight against HIV/AIDS, it is critical that the Ministry of Health and Social Services have a secure and reliable supply of drugs and medical supplies and equipment.  To that end, USAID's Supply Chain Management Systems Project (SCMS), which is funded by the U. S. President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), undertook the task of renovating and improving the Ministry's Central Medical Stores over the past few months.  The result is a newly renovated, state-of-the-art warehouse and drug management system.

SCMS has increased the storage space for anti-retroviral medicines (ARV) and other medical supplies so that the warehouse can now hold the nine-month supply that is required by the Ministry's policy.  As part of its renovations, SCMS installed special racking systems both at the main and peripheral warehouses. SCMS also added air conditioners to protect the drug supplies and a special cold chain data logging system was installed for the ARV stores which automatically alerts managers via cell phone if the temperature fluctuates.  This system has greatly improved ARV storage conditions and will give health managers peace of mind that these temperature sensitive medicines are stored correctly.

In addition, SCMS improved the security of these facilities and the supplies through a smart card-based access control system.  Along with the refurbished warehouse, SCMS also has contributed new stock handling equipment -- pallets, pallet jacks, trolley, pallet stackers and a forklift vehicle – so that the warehouse staff may be more effective and efficient.

SCMS made these improvements through a US$ 400,000 PEPFAR grant.  In 2009, PEPFAR will donate approximately US$ 107 million to work in partnership with the Namibian government and its nongovernmental, community, and faith-based partners to prevent further infections and provide treatment and care to Namibians infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.  Between 2004-2009, the American people have provided US$ 429 million to fight HIV/AIDS in Namibia. 

SCMS does not just refurbish buildings and procure equipment, it also provides staff and training to ensure the supply management system operates at its peak.  By seconding key management and pharmaceutical personnel to the MoHSS, SCMS assists in quantifying and ensuring the quality of Namibia ARVs, guaranteeing that the Ministry has adequate and effective ARVs.  SCMS also provides technical assistance to address Ministry gaps so that it will be able to assume all of these duties in the future.

Just as the supply chain must reach all regions of Namibia, so too does SCMS operate outside the capitol. It is building capacity at the regional stores by providing stock handling equipment, air conditioners, computers to assist in data management and technical assistance and training by SCMS staff. 

SCMS plans further renovations and training to continue to improve the supply chain management system and awaits decisions from the Ministry on which direction to pursue first.  Ultimately, SCMS’s goal is to improve Namibia's supply chain for HIV/AIDS drugs and medical supplies and equipment to make sure that the medical system can provide treatment and care to its patients in a sustainable manner.

For more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer, Ray Castillo, at 0811280816, or Information Assistant, Roger Lyners, at 229801 (ext. 226).