Medicine for Zambia (Mankwala Ya Zambia)

Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2011) include: Pharmaceutical and medical supplies were successfully purchased and delivered to hospitals and health centres in Zambia under the primary component of the project; there have been considerable achievements in relation to improving the storage and distribution capacity for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at the national level and the safe disposal of expired drugs; the system for quantifying procuring and distributing pharmaceuticals and medical supplies related to the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS has become increasingly reliable in a country with high HIV prevalence; sex-disaggregated data (for procurement needs) were incorporated into the new Health Management Information System with a strong focus on maternal newborn and child health; increased availability of essential medicines contributed to a decrease in the infant mortality rate to 70 deaths per 1000 live births in 2008 from 95 per 1000 in 2002. Under the second project component the Ministry of Health has obtained computers software and connectivity that will constitute an electronic system for procurement logistics and stores management for drugs and medical goods.