Health Ministry brainstorms funding avenues for pandemic preparedness

…Global Fund can aid strengthening supply chain management

The Guyana Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) on Friday hosted a country dialogue for the submission of a C19RM Portfolio Optimisation Wave 2 Funding Request – a process that allows countries to receive additional funds and align investments with revised priorities through the World Health Organisation.
This dialogue was facilitated in a bid to engage in discussions with relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) attached to the Health Ministry on the needs of the Ministry to which the funding can be allocated.
During his engagement, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that the MOH would not only be submitting applications to Global Fund, but they would also be applying for funding from the World Bank Pandemic Fund, which aims to help countries be prepared for a future pandemic.
In addition, Dr Anthony explained that the expression of interest in the Pandemic Fund was submitted on Friday. Its focus is on the improvement of laboratories and strengthening the surveillance system, mainly in the regions.
While delivering the summary of proposed activities for the C19RM Funds, Advisor to the Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy noted that with the successful funding from the Global Fund, the Ministry aims to strengthen its supply chain management to have medicine and medical supplies be procured promptly and flow efficiently through the health sector.

He also indicated that the objectives of the grant are to develop and decentralise a comprehensive supply chain management strategy which will ensure that not only central management for the supply chain is strong but have the regional and local levels of supply chain management strengthened.
He further stated that the grant would also aid in the digitalisation of supply chain management.
Dr Ramsammy identified a few activities from the proposal which included, key investment with strategy and governance, ensuring comprehensive strategies to deal with the supply chain and management; activities that will address forecasting, to ensure efficient medication is available, and there is no over-procuring nor stock out; storage and distribution; along with addressing information system that can be decentralised to the regions.
At the Health Ministry, work is ongoing to develop a strong surveillance network that can be used for COVID-19 and beyond. This is all in preparation for future pandemics and disasters. Since taking office, the PPP/C Administration has made significant investments to increase testing capabilities, and facilities to diagnose and treat COVID-19 patients. (G12)