WHO and HAI Africa Regional Collaboration for Action on Essential Medicines in Africa 2002-2008
Posted on 14 December 2009
A recent evaluation of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Health Action International (HAI) Africa Regional Collaboration for Action on Essential Medicines in Africa 2002-2008 provides clear lessons to the Medicines Transparency Alliance. They include valuing the brokering role of WHO at national level and strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations to support national efforts.
Both WHO and HAI are committed to increasing access to and appropriate use of safe and effective essential medicines in order to help improve people's health, especially among the most disadvantaged communities in Africa. Both organisations are key partners in the Medicines Transparency Alliance and are working to support the multi-stakeholder process at country level.
The UK Department for International Development (DFID), which currently finances the pilot phase of MeTA, also financed the Programme for WHO/HAI Africa Regional Collaboration on Essential Medicines in Africa 2002-2008. A recent evaluation of the programme provides some clear lessons for WHO’S health systems and medicines strategy, for DFID, for the role and participation of civil society and for initiatives such as the Medicines Transparency Alliance.
What was the programme?
The Programme enabled WHO and HAI Africa to increase levels of technical support at country level, for the common purpose of strengthening collaboration and capacity in government and in civil society for improving policy and practice on access to affordable, quality medicines and rational use. Two important and innovative features of the Programme model were: a) creation by WHO of new positions for NPOs or medicines advisers, based in Country Offices; and b) channelling funds to WHO and civil society for separate and joint actions, on the premise that both have key roles to play in improving access, and that ‘when diverse stakeholders such as governments, CSOs and WHO work collaboratively to improve access to medicines, they are able to achieve greater impact toward common goals’. (see p6 of evaluation report )
The evaluation found that the programme has contributed to increased profile for the essential medicines concept and evidence based policy; increased capacity and recognition for the medicines regulatory, procurement and supply system; increased funding leverage; support for and inclusion of a credible civil society voice and improved coordination among government programmes, development partners and civil society organisations both nationally and regionally.
What were the lessons learnt?
- WHO has significant comparative advantage in essential medicines, which National Programme Officers have been able to put into practice at country level.
- Focused and formal models of support are needed for civil society engagement.
- Balancing national priorities with promoting other critical concerns is important.
- Flexible and innovative funding arrangements by DFID have benefited the programme.
- Resources are needed at regional and global as well as national levels to deliver country outcomes.
These are important lessons for MeTA, as it moves forward at country and international level.
The evaluation report also makes clear recommendations for DFID. It states. ‘DFID is further recommended to take programme lessons learnt into account with regards to initiatives such as MeTA and SARPAM (Southern Africa Region Programme on Access to Essential Medicines) These include WHO’s brokering role and regional capacity in both WHO and civil society to support national efforts.’
WHO/HAI Africa Regional Collaboration for Action on Essential Medicines in Africa 2002-2008 Evaluation report to DFID, August, 2009
For more information about how others are working on the issue of access to medicines, please visit:
WHO: Essential medicines and pharmaceutical policies
Categories: Availability, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia
