Transaid has turned its attention to Ethiopia, undertaking a 12-month supply chain strengthening project with fellow non-profit organisation American International Health Alliance.
The international development charity is working to build human resources capacity and support staff development within the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Services (EPSS).
The Addis Ababa-based agency procures nearly one billion US dollars’ worth of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies each year, for delivery to more than 4,000 health facilities across the country – now the 10th most populous in the world.
Sam Clark, Transaid head of programmes, said: “EPSS has a vision to be the most responsive and efficient pharmaceutical supply chain organisation in Africa by 2030, and this project directly supports that goal.
“After reviewing the EPSS’ policies and procedures last year, followed by a visit to meet with the key stakeholders and to see the operation for ourselves, we were able to identify specific actions where we can help to strengthen current practices.”
EPSS has more than 70 years of experience in providing pharmaceuticals, laboratory reagents, medical equipment and supplies to the Ethiopian people.
Today the country is one of the fastest growing African economies, with its 112,000-mile road network undergoing significant expansion to support trade and logistics.
Clark added: “The wealth of knowledge we can unlock through our corporate partners is second to none. Combined with everything we already know as an organisation about transport, logistics, and access to healthcare from three decades working across sub-Saharan Africa, it makes Transaid the perfect delivery partner for a project like this.”
