Two policy dialogues were hosted by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) in efforts to further improve local health systems.
The first was on ways to improve the supply chain management of medicines in municipalities, and the second was on developing resilient health systems in local governments.
Better medicines management
Key lessons from the 2014 joint initiative of the ZFF, Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA Philippines) and Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) Cares Foundation to improve pharmaceutical management systems in 10 ZFF partner municipalities were presented last September 29.
A key highlight of the discussion was the need to establish a Drugs and Therapeutics Committee at the local level to govern medicines-related activities.
Development of local policies to accelerate support for medicines procurement, donations, and disposal were also tackled.
The need for adequate medicine storage facility was also emphasized. This facility should have temperature and humidity controls, shelves, and pallets to ensure the quality of medicines. This should be maintained through inventories and records keeping.
In photo is Cecilia Sison, country coordinator of MeTA Philippines, discussing the lessons learned from the initiative of ZFF, MeTA Philippines, and PHAPCares Foundation. (See related photos here.)
Resilience in disasters
And last November 10, representatives from the DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Office of the Civil Defense and other non-government organizations gathered for a dialogue on resiliency in local government units.
Highlights of the event were results of a policy research conducted in ZFF partner areas affected by super typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda).
Emphasized were the need for a specific budget and for the integration of health into the whole disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) planning process.
The rollout of the Barangay Health Emergency Management Systems by DOH-HEMB to all regions was highly recommended. Participants also underscored the need to ensure province-wide Local Investments Plan for Health supports DRRM-Health interventions.
In photo is Dr. Ronald Law of DOH-Health Emergency Management Bureau discussing policies on health emergency and disaster preparedness. (See related photos here.)