To improve the quality of diabetes care through improved availability and quality in the dispensing of diabetes medicines, test materials and diagnostics in the pharmacies of 60 faith-based health facilities in Zambia.This project aims to increase the capacity and skills of non-trained pharmaceutical staff in inventory management including stock ordering as well as dispensing of medicines for type 2 diabetes.
The project is run by the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network in cooperation with the Church Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), which operates 34 hospitals and 77 health centres in Zambia, as well as the Diabetes Association in Zambia.The main project activities are:Roll out of a baseline survey on standards for medicine management, availability of medicine and dispensing practices among pharmaceutical staff in 30 faith-based health facilities.Develop informational materials about medical and non-medical treatment of type 2 diabetes for education of and distribution to diabetes patients at CHAZ pharmacies.Train pharmacists or pharmaceutical technicians to train others about medicine management and dispensing practices in relation to diabetes care.Train non-trained pharmaceutical staff in medicine management and instructing of diabetes patients in relation to dispensing of medicine.Pharmaceutical staff implement action plans at 60 health facilities focusing on ordering and storage of medicine, dispensing of medicine to diabetes patients and strengthening of cooperation with doctors and nurses in relation to treatment of diabetes.Trainers carry out monitoring visits to all targeted health facilities to support implementation of action plans and meet with hospital administrators to advocate for prioritisation of storage and procurement of medicine.
Baseline and end-line survey conducted showing the following improvements: o Increased availability of standard treatment guidelines for diabetes o Increased availability of a Health Facility Essential Medicine List o Increased availability of instruction labels o Increased availability of essential diabetes medicine o Improved knowledge, attitude and practices among pharmaceutical staff • 37,000 people provided with information on diabetes • 3 pharmacists trained on medicine management and dispensing practices in relation to diabetes care• Capacity building of 37 faith based health facilities (from 7 provinces) • 37 action plans developed and implemented • 37 advocacy meetings convened with hospital administrators by trainers during monitoring visits