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KARAGWE DISTRICT COUNCIL

Funding drug gaps by using CHF

By Dr Ruta Thomas

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Outline

1. Introduction

2. Community Health Fund

3. Drug Revolving Fund

4. Challenges

5. Way forward

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Introduction

• Karagwe is one of the districts in Kagera region• It is served by a total of 52 health facilities of

which 36 are owned by the council others are under ownership of Faith based organizations

• All council owned facilities are receiving drugs from the government through Medical Stores Department (MSD) under Indent system

• Despite of indent system there is insufficient drug supply due to either missing of essential items at MSD and/or delay of supplies from MSD

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Community Health Fund

• CHF started in January 2007– CHF contribution is 15000/- per household– User fee is 1000/= at dispensaries and 1500/=

at health centre level

• Each beneficiary is issued a card that enables her/him to access health services at all council owned facilities

• Health staff have been trained on financial management

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Drug Revolving Fund (DRF)

• Now on process to establish DRF • Note: Health financing and DRF are among the

components of PHC project which is supported by Belgian Government- they are interdependent

• DRF aims at addressing availability of essential drugs and supplies at the district level

• DRF will be purchasing drugs from MSD and other suppliers as per government regulations

• Initial stocks of drugs will be purchased using funds from the donor

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DRF continues,

• Health facilities will procure supplementary drugs from DRF by using funds which are collected through user fee and CHF – The procurement will be initiated the health

facility committee and approved by Council

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DRF-current situation

• Health staffs have been trained on rational drug use

• Recruitment of key staff: Pharmacist and Accountant

• Building financial capacity of the ‘customer’ (health facility) through user fee and CHF

• Construction of a standard district drug store is now on final stages

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District Drug store-under construction

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Challenges

• Inadequate number qualified staff– But the government has approved

employment of 151 health staffs of different cadres for 2006/2007 financial year

• Low enrolment to CHF– ?timing: (January)– Non-involvement faith based health facilities

in CHF– The contribution

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Way forward

• Completion of drug store

• The MOHSW is requested to post staff

• Negotiation with:– SACCOS: to pay for their members– Faith based organizations, etc

• Conducting another sensitization for the period starting in July: still under discussion

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