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Boost
to essential drugs
UK's
Department for International Development (DFID) and UNICEF
March 06, 2008
UNICEF and the
UK Government's Department of International Development announced
that they have entered into a £5million partnership to support
the procurement and distribution of essential drugs and supplies
for the people of Zimbabwe.
The new support
programme, the Emergency Vital Medicines Support programme, is aimed
at rapidly supporting much needed health services in Zimbabwe.
At a time of
enormous strain on health services and depleted supplies of essential
drugs, the Emergency Vital Medicines Support programme will ensure
that all health facilities across all districts in Zimbabwe will
be stocked with the most essential medicines and supplies.
It will facilitate
a significant increase in the funding to complement existing financial
resources available for the delivery of vital health services in
all parts of Zimbabwe. The programme will procure medicines identified
by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare as essential for meeting
national health policy goals with particular focus on the needs
of:
- Children
under five years
- Women, especially
pregnant women
- Adults over
65 years
- Prevention
and treatment of transmissible diseases.
This new initiative
is to be supported by other donors as well and will bring partners
together with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare
to strengthen the delivery of basic health services. UK funds will
be transferred to UNICEF immediately so that procurement of vital
commodities can begin immediately. Other donors are expected to
join in the future.
Speaking on
behalf of the British Embassy, Dr. Andrew Pocock, the British Ambassador
said: "Behind this significant and timely commitment is our
common concern for the people of Zimbabwe, our wish to make a concrete
contribution to alleviating the chronic scarcity of medication for
the poorest and most vulnerable, and our belief that coordinated
action is the best way to achieve lasting results. Together, we
can make a positive impact."
The Emergency
Vital Medicines Support programme will contribute significantly
to the goal of providing access to primary and referral health services
in rural and urban areas. The programme will also strengthen monitoring
and evaluation systems already in place in order to ensure drugs
are distributed.
"This is a critical, enormous boost to Zimbabwe's health
services," said UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr. Festo
Kavishe, "The Emergency Vital Medicines Support programme
is a decisive step from donor nations and UNICEF towards aiding
the health of people across this country. We are extremely grateful
to DFID for this support to the people of Zimbabwe."
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