ENTEBBE – Dr. Diana Atwine The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health has revealed integration of nutritional commodities into the national supply chain will help to improve the availability of nutrition supplies and reduce stock outs at health facilities across the country.
“Integration of nutrition supplies into the national Essential Medicines and Health Supplies (EMHS) system will enhance timely delivery of quality nutrition services and supplies to all the children and adults affected by malnutrition as well as reduce stock outs of these,” she said.
Ms Atwine made the remarks during the launch of pilot phase of the integration of nutrition supplies into the national Essential Medicines & Health Supplies (EMHS) system worth Sh 14.8 bn in Entebbe.
Ms Atwine said the pilot study which will run for six months from October 2020 to March 2021 in the West Nile region which was selected because of the burden of the population and influx of the refugee community that has added bigger statistics of malnutrition.
The Director Clinical Services Ministry of Health Dr. Charles Olaro, said the intergartion which will have the nutrition supplies distributed to health facilities by the National Medical Stores (NMS)will not only improve access to the nutritional commodities but also governments ownership and accountability.
The Chief Child Survival and Development, UNCEF Uganda Dr. Viorica Berdaga, who handed over the nutrition supplies, said the numbers of stunted children is on the increase due to poor nutrition.
The chief stores and operations officer NMS Mr Paul Okware said the body’s system will help deliver the nutritions which have been integrated into the national supply chain to the communities which still have 2 million malnourished children.
The nutrition supply chain management will strengthen the capacity of health staff in 234 health facilities in health districts, including Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, moyo, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe and Obongi.
