Adapting and overcoming challenges to ensure distribution of drugs and medicines to remote communities in South Sudan
Communicable diseases remain leading causes of mortality especially for South Sudanese women and children. These lives can be saved by prompt seeking of healthcare and correct diagnostics and treatment. If one or a combination of them are lacking, then lives are at risk.
Availability of safe, effective and quality essential medicines often tip the balance between life and death. One of Health Pooled Fund’s (HPF) key deliverables is the delivery of essential medicines, vaccines and other medical products to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in South Sudan. HPF delivers its basic package of health and essential medicines through its implementing partners. So far, HPF has delivered nine consignments of essential drugs and supplies in South Sudan since 2012.
Consignment 9 distribution started on 14 October 2019 and was finally completed on 18 December 2019 with all counties and hospitals receiving the drug kits. A total of 469.3 tonnes of medicines were distributed to 798 health facilities in South Sudan. The distribution was challenging due to the continued heavy rains and major flooding in South Sudan. Parts of Gogrial West County in Warrap State and Kapoeta East County in Eastern Equatoria State were the last counties to receive consignment 9.
In Twic County in Warrap state, the HPF implementing partner, GOAL South Sudan and the county health department (CHD) work together to ensure all HPF supported health facilities receive their drugs and supplies within 21 days of delivery of commodities to CHD’s office.
The last mile delivery of commodities is essential to quality healthcare delivery and ensuring the availability of safe and efficacious drugs in good condition for health services to be delivered. Further, it safeguards against stockouts, contributing toward better wellbeing and reduction of mortality in the county. GOAL South Sudan tracks and ensures timely delivery of commodities to health facilities.
Between October and December 2019, South Sudan experienced unprecedented levels of rainfall and flooding. Flooding in the majority of the country resulted in nearly one million people affected and in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Thousands have been displaced from their homes and seen their livelihoods destroyed; many towns are completely submerged. Numerous health facilities were affected with some being damaged while others cut off due to the poor state of the road infrastructure.
Deliveries to health facilities which were unaffected by the flooding was completed within four days. The challenge was delivering the medicines and drugs to facilities cut off by heavy rains or flooding.
Some of these facilities included Akoc, Yiik Thon, Dhieu Agal, Toch Noon, Majak Pagai, Molbang, Tuele and Malou Hol primary health care units (PHCUs). Community members participated in the last mile distribution by carrying drugs to the facilities supporting the rapid distribution of much needed drugs to health facilities.