Wednesday this week, another significant milestone was reached in the Ministry of Health and Medical Service’s efforts to improve Reproductive Maternal and adolescent healthcare services and ensure contraceptives are available and easily accessed at health facilities across the country.
With support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Ministry of Health and Medical Services launched the Health Facility Readiness and Service Availability (HFRSA) Assessment Report and Contraceptive Logistics Management System (CLMS) manuals.
The HFRSA report documents the readiness of health facilities and the types of services available with regard to Reproductive Health, while the CLMS manuals, on the other hand, serves as the standard operating procedure for better management of the supply chain of contraceptives from the National Medical Store to the health service points, the hospitals, health centers, and clinics.
Dr. Nemia Bainivalu, Supervising Permanent Secretary and Deputy Secretary Health Improvement in his remarks expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone and all organizations involved to support the development and compilation of the report and documents.
“The HFRSA assessment report is very significant as it provides evidence to the performance of health services, especially in the Reproductive Maternal and Adolescent Health space, and how resources in this health sector are being mobilized using the national supply chain system to reach the rural population. The information captured in the report will greatly inform decision-making and guide actions to better deliver and improve Reproductive Maternal and Adolescent Health services across the country.
With the Contraceptive Logistics Management System (CLMS) Manual, Dr. Nemia highlighted that the manuals are an outcome of one of the HFRSA recommendations, which will ensure better management of contraceptives from the National Medical Store down to health service points.
“Basically the manual will provide support in ensuring the right commodities are selected, with correct quantities being determined, in the right condition, delivered at the right place, at the right time when it is needed and at an affordable or cost-effective price”, said Dr. Bainivalu.
He added that the manual will also be useful as a guide for health workers at various levels of the supply chain of contraceptives from the National Medical Store to Honiara Town Council clinics, Second Level Medical Stores, and Provincial Hospitals and even to the furthest of health facilities like in the Malaita Outer Islands.
“These supply chain manuals can also be adapted for management of other medical supplies and therefore a huge thank you to UNFPA and the government of Australia for the tremendous support in this regard”, said Dr. Bainivalu.
Meanwhile, UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office Director Mr Iori Kato expressed delight to also join the launching stating that was an honor whilst congratulating the Ministry for the laudable achievements.
“UNFPA is pleased to have supported the Ministry of Health in this regard and be rest assured that we will continue to provide relevant support where and when needed to maintain an uninterrupted supply of commodities at all times in every facilities, at every level of the health care system”,
He added the launch of the two documents demonstrated ongoing commitment being made by the Solomon Islands to address unmet need for family planning, and ensure that no woman is exposed to the risk of unintended pregnancy and preventable maternal death.
“Congratulations again, on the launching, and we look forward to continuing to support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in securing access to quality Sexual Reproductive Health services for all people in Solomon Islands”, said Mr Kato.
The launching was also attended by Provincial Health Directors and provincial pharmacists, Heads of Departments, partners like WHO and UNICEF, and Senior Executive Members of the Ministry of Health and National Referral Hospital and representative from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
-MHMS Press