EAST AFRICAN HEALTH PLATFORM

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1 EAST AFRICAN HEALTH PLATFORM Fostering Stronger Ties for Better Health in East Africa 5 th Edition e-newsletter MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARIAT Welcome to the 5th e-newsletter of the and we trust this edition finds you well. We would like to continue to update you on the latest health related information happening in the region and EAHP as well as on recent and upcoming health events. Specifically in this edition you will read about the following issues: Joyce Kevin Abalo Coordinator, EAHP Scoping Study on National and Regional Key Health Actors in the EAC HANSHEP announces the Health Systems Hub Regional Consultation on the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and Harmonization East Africa Healthcare Summit, 1 2 July 2014 Workshop on Mechanisms to Strengthening Access to Medicines in the EAC Region, July 2014 EAC and GIZ organize M&E training, 4 7 August 2014 Blended Learning Course on IP, Public Health and Local Pharmaceutical Production for East African Community, 20 October February 2015 Tanzania Health Summit, November 2014 We do hope that you will enjoy reading the 5th e-newsletter. Your questions, remarks as well as suggestions for the next newsletter s edition are very welcome and we encourage you to contact us

2 2 HEALTH RELATED NEWS Scoping Study on National and Regional Key Health Actors in the EAC The East African Community Health Department in collaboration with the East African Business Council through the with the financial support from the GIZ GOPA conducted a study to identify key national and regional health actors, in order to reach out to them for effective and efficient health programming and advocacy purposes. As EAC member states have experienced a rapid increase in the number of organizations providing health services in the region it is important to get an overview about the diverse actors and their work. While there could be some marginal level of partnerships among the various players, the majority of them work independently, which oftentimes results to duplication of resources and efforts. Data was obtained through literature review and face-to-face interviews with key informants within the relevant institutions. The study area included all the countries of the East African Community including Zanzibar. The study population was those public organizations and or associations, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and faith based organizations that are offering health services at regional and national levels. It also included organizations and institutions providing health advocacy, health financing and funding for health interventions, capacity building services and health quality control with a national and regional presence. A total of 396 health initiatives are acting in the East African Region, the majority of them are involved in healthcare delivery, others in financing, capacity building, policy advocacy, social mobilization, communication and grants management. The contribution of these actors towards the health sector in the EAC is significant and there is room for scaling up their services especially through cross-border partnership and sharing of experiences and best practices. It is thus important for the EAC member states to identify and profile the various health service providers. This would not only build synergies but also reduce duplication, contribute towards meaningful engagement of the different actors and enable EAHP to forge and support linkages between the different actors in the region for future engagement. In addition, such information is useful for improved planning and coordination of national and regional efforts, making it possible for the EAC, EAHP and others to know which organization to work with on a given thematic area. As part of the study, a directory of the national and regional key health actors was generated to facilitate individual approaches. Study and directory are both accessible through the EAHP website. During the study representatives were asked about the challenges they face while processing their daily work. The majority of the health actors are struggling with the same problems. Inadequate funding and minimal medical donations are the common financial challenges for almost two thirds of the organizations while shortage of human resource for health and low level of health literacy are common non-financial challenges. Based on these findings, EAHP will develop in a next step a position paper on challenges facing regional and national key health actors to approach the politics with view to improve the situation.

3 3 HEALTH RELATED NEWS HANSHEP announces the Health Systems Hub by Thomas Feeney, HANSHEP Programme Manager HANSHEP is delighted to announce that work has begun to develop a global Health Systems Hub ( The Hub ) for practitioners, policymakers, researchers and development partners from around the world who are committed to creating equitable and sustainable health systems for all. HANSHEP ( is a collaboration platform through which development agencies, governments and foundations with a shared interest in supporting pro-poor mixed health systems come together to share knowledge and co-finance new initiatives. It was established by its Members in 2010 and seeks to improve the performance of the non-state sector in delivering better healthcare to the poor by working together, learning from each other, and sharing this learning with others. Over the last year, the HANSHEP group has developed a comprehensive Knowledge & Learning Strategy to improve how people find and exchange knowledge around the role and contribution of the private sector to healthcare in developing countries. The Health Systems Hub will be the first output of this strategy, recognizing that: Evidence around what works is still underdeveloped (but growing rapidly) Some great resources exist, but they are very fragmented and widely dispersed across sectors and borders There are very few tools for organizing knowledge and making it more accessible The quality of evidence is very variable, so it is difficult to know what to trust Many barriers exist between stakeholders that hinder the effective sharing of knowledge across sectors and borders People learn in different ways, and need different kinds of resources The Health Systems Hub will seek to overcome these challenges by providing: A more efficient way to help users search for and identify resources specifically relevant to them and their professional needs An easy way to help individuals keep up to date with the latest developments and resources Guidance on the best quality resources that currently exist Greater visibility of what others are doing in this area and opportunities for collaboration A dedicated workspace for Communities of Practice and interest groups to interact, share/edit files, disseminate learning and attract new members A place to discuss and raise awareness of priorities for research and resource development

4 4 HEALTH RELATED NEWS HANSHEP announces the Health Systems Hub by Thomas Feeney, HANSHEP Programme Manager The Hub will do this through three distinct (yet interconnected) domains known as LEARN, CONNECT and COLLABORATE, which will meet the needs of users in the following ways: In June 2014, the Hub design team held a workshop in Tanzania with target audience users from government, private sector and civil society across the East African region (including the East Africa Healthcare Platform itself). The objective was to gather feedback on the initial design of the Hub and its proposed functionality, and following an extremely positive response and excellent suggestions from the 20+ participants, the final phase of development has now begun. The HANSHEP Health Systems Hub will be officially launched at the 2014 World Health Summit in Berlin on 21 October 2014, but if you would like more information or to stay informed as it develops, please visit or contact Thomas Feeny at the HANSHEP Secretariat ([email protected]).

5 5 HEALTH RELATED NEWS Regional Consultation on the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and Harmonization The NEPAD Agency in collaboration with African Union Commission (AUC) and Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has spearheaded the development of the AU Model Law for Medical Products Regulation and Harmonization. The model law is envisioned to contribute to increased access to safe, quality and efficacious medical products and technologies to the people of Africa. The Model Law is required to address legislative gaps that exist in most AU member states that hamper effective medicines regulation and regional harmonization. The Model Law is being developed through a consultative process with key stakeholders including Regional Economic Communities (RECs), National Medicines Regulatory Agencies (NMRAs), Pharmaceutical Industry and other continental and international partners. In this regard, consultations meetings have been organized in all regions starting with East Africa on 29th July 2014 in Tanzania, Central Africa on 11 August 2014 in Gabon, North Africa on 10 September 2014 in Tunisia, West Africa on 14 October 2014 Ghana and Southern Africa 12 November 2014 in Zimbabwe. The Model Law consultation meetings are aimed at ensuring a transparent and participatory process in the preparation of the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and Harmonization. The consultations will therefore, enable key stakeholders in the AU member states and partners to discuss and provide feedback on the draft Model Law prior to its processing and adoption by the African Union (AU). The consultation meeting will target stakeholders from Ministries of Health, National Medicines Regulatory Agencies, Ministries responsible for Customs, Trade and Industry, Revenue Authorities, Ministries responsible for Finance, Ministries responsible for Justice, National and Regional Parliamentary Committees responsible for Health, Academia and Research Community, Pharmaceutical Industry Associations, Civil Society Organisations, NGOs, and international interest groups. The adoption of the Model Law will avail a systematic approach for the development of legislation on medicines regulation in African countries that support the AU s course of promoting local production of pharmaceuticals. It will equally provide a comprehensive guide to member states in the review and/or development of national legislation and offer a framework to support Member States in the harmonisation of medical products regulation within RECs. The Model Law has been developed within the framework of the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) Programme which is a part of the operationalization of the African Union s Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA). The PMPA provides a framework for increasing local production of pharmaceuticals with a view to protect public health and contribute to economic growth.

6 6 HEALTH RELATED NEWS Regional Consultation on the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and Harmonization The AU further affirmed its commitment to accelerate and strengthen the implementation of the PMPA and regional medicines regulatory harmonization through Pillar II of the Roadmap for Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria response in Africa. The AMRH, which is being implemented through RECs, therefore, seeks to enable African countries to fulfill their national obligations to provide all citizens with safe, quality and efficacious essential medicines. The AMRH programme is a collaborative programme of the NEPAD Agency, AUC, PAP, RECs, World Health Organisation (WHO), World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and DFID. The development of the AU Model Law on Medical Products Regulation and Harmonisation is also being supported by the UNDP and UNAIDS. For more information please contact Nthabiseng Legod ([email protected]).

7 7 RECENT EVENTS ON HEALTH 2014 East Africa Healthcare Summit, 1 2 July 2014, Dar Es Salaam The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dar es Salaam was the place to be for over 200 key decision makers from across the region and internationally. The two days conference, exhibition and networking event attracted Ministries of Health from the regions countries, development funds, CEO s from hospitals, medical centres, pharmaceutical distributors and technology providers. The 1st East Africa Healthcare Summit was organized by Oliver Kinross Ltd. in collaboration with the (EAHP). Over the next decade, USD billion in new investment will be required to meet Africa s health care demand. This is a huge opportunity for millions of African people. Key stakeholders and critical players involved from the governments, hospitals, donors, international investors and technology providers, and the public and private partnership integration can greatly contribute to the development of Africa s healthcare industry. The East Africa Healthcare Summit was a vital Platform for key stakeholders in the region to discuss the latest investment opportunities, government policies, sector challenges and future developments for East Africa s evolving healthcare sector. Among the participants were representatives from the Ministries of Health from the five East African countries, public and private hospitals, medical centers, laboratories and distributors, the leading healthcare technology and service companies and many more. Dr. Amit Thakker, Chairman of EAHP, was the event chairman for the first Summit day and leading throughout that day. He welcomed His Excellency Dr. Seif Seleman Rashid, Minister for Health and Social Welfare Tanzania, who officially opened the Summit and delivered the key note address. The second day of the Summit was headed by Salim Hashan, Vice President of Health Services at Aga Khan University. Dr. Amit Thakker, Chairperson of the East African Health Platform with His Excellency Dr. Seif Seleman Rashid, Minister for Health and Social Welfare Tanzania Dr. Thakker himself spoke about Healthcare Provision across East Africa and led one of the panel discussions. Other members of EAHP gave presentations and participated in the panel discussion on Creating Business Opportunities in Healthcare in East Africa as well as Overcoming the Reliance on Imported Pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the Platform was running a booth in the alongside exhibition to showcase itself and its activities and to increase visibility among the conference and the delegates. Other exhibitors e.g. Siemens, Philips or GE Healthcare showcases their latest technologies and solutions in healthcare. The East Africa Healthcare Summit will be organized in a two-year cycle; the next event is scheduled for July However, Oliver Kinross hosts every year on February the Africa Healthcare Summit in London, more details about the upcoming event from February 2015 you will

8 8 RECENT EVENTS ON HEALTH 2014 Workshop on Mechanisms to Strengthening Access to Medicines in the EAC Region, July 2014, Arusha. The South Centre with support of GIZ held a workshop on Mechanisms to Strengthen Access to Medicines in the East African Community for national parliamentarians of East African countries from 30th - 31st of July 2014 in Arusha, Tanzania. The South Centre is an intergovernmental organization of developing countries and think tank to advance the common interest of the South, and several EAC Members are likewise South Centre Members. The EAC has already advanced important initiatives such as the Regional Intellectual Property Policy on the Utilization of Public Health-Related WTO-TRIPS Flexibilities and the Approximation of National Intellectual Property Legislation, as well as initiatives to foster local production of medicines. Furthermore, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) passed an important resolution in June 2013 in support of the extension of the transition period for the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement by Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The intention of the workshop was to assist in building the capacity of the national parliaments of East African countries and civil society in furthering such initiatives, through the presentation of new research undertaken by the South Centre and sharing of national experiences among EAC countries. The main issues discussed were: Intellectual property and development; Situation analysis of access to medicines in the EAC region; TRIPS related flexibilities for Public Health; The Regional Intellectual Property Policy on the Utilization of Public Health-Related WTO-TRIPS; Review of status of implementation: country experiences; ARIPO Harare Protocol and the Impact of ARIPO Harare Protocol on implementation of EAC TRIPS Policy; Pooled procurement and pooled procurement to promote access to medicines in the EAC region. The two-day workshop closed with discussions on measures to strengthen access to medicines in the EAC region. The was represented in this meeting by one of its Steering Committee, Dr. Patrobas Mufubenga, National Coordinator of Malaria & Childhood Illness NGO Network (MACIS).

9 9 UPCOMING EVENTS ON HEALTH EAC and GIZ organize M&E training, 4 7 August 2014, Arusha The EAC Secretariat with the financial support from GIZ is organizing a tailored made Monitoring and Evaluation training scheduled to take place from 4th 7th of August 2014 in Arusha, Tanzania. The four day training will be highly participatory with practical and interactive sessions. It will demonstrate to participants the relevance of an effective M&E system which will allow them to follow up on the implementation of SG s Forums recommendations. Additionally, the training will show participants the importance of formulating SMART recommendations that can be implemented by the relevant organs and institutions of the Community. In order to meet these objectives the course will contain among others strategies and tools to develop SMART recommendations as well as key concepts and definitions in applying M&E for results. At the end of the training, participants will be empowered to actively participate in the monitoring of implementation of SG s Forums recommendations in particular and to track effectiveness of the SG s Forum in general. The selected participants will be the resource people to help the finalization of SMART recommendations during SG s Forums. Up to 20 participants from Civil Society Organization, Private Sector Organization and other Interest Groups as well as selected members of regional CDF dialogue committee in charge of the organization of SG s Forum are expected to attend. EAHP as the advocacy Platform for Private Health Sector Organizations, Civil Society Health Organizations, Faith Based Health Organizations and other Interest Groups working on health in East Africa will participate in the training. Blended Learning Course on IP, Public Health and Local Pharmaceutical Production for East African Community, 20 October February 2015 UNCTAD and UNIDO are organizing a Blended Learning Course on IP, Public Health and Local Pharmaceutical Production for East African Community. The major objective of the course is to equip the participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to successfully utilize the flexibilities presented by the WTO TRIPS Agreement towards pharmaceutical production and other means to promote access to medicines in their region. The course involves a face-to-face introductory workshop from October 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya. This will be followed by three month distance learning from 22 October - 30 January 2015 and a closing workshop tentatively scheduled to take place from 2 3 February 2015, in Nairobi, Kenya. A total of 30 participants are expected from the EAC, EAC partner States ministries, the private pharmaceutical sector and civil society including EAHP, EANNASO and EACSOF, considering their role in promoting Harmonization of Health Policies and Laws and access to Medicine in the EAC Region. After the course the participants are expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of TRIPS flexibilities relevant to building local and regional pharmaceutical production and to improving access to high quality, affordable medicines in developing countries; recognize the intellectual property dimensions of health, trade/investment and related issues; build a network of regional stakeholders for policy discussion and creation; identify suitable policy options on the national, regional and international level to make full use of the TRIPS flexibilities; transfer their knowledge to implement initiatives that improve access to medicines, industry and trade policies as well as industrial capacities for sustainable development; act as multipliers for other key stakeholders in their countries. UNCTAD will cover expenses incurred by non- Nairobi based participants in the context of the opening and closing workshops, i.e. round trip economy class air fare and accommodation in Nairobi, at prevailing UN rates. After the successful completion of the closing workshop participants will receive a certificate from UNCTAD and UNIDO. For more details about the learning course, the detailed programme and the registration form please contact Ermias Tekeste Biadgleng at [email protected].

10 10 UPCOMING EVENTS ON HEALTH Tanzania Health Summit, November 2014, Dar Es Salaam The first Tanzania Health Summit is scheduled to take place from November 2014 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and is hosted by Tindwa Medical and Health Services. The venue of the conference is the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre. According the organizer it will be the largest national platform where more than 500 health services providers, health care professionals, policy makers, health system administrators and health services users interact. The topic of the two days event is Promoting health care by engaging health professionals, suppliers and policy makers. THS recognizes that, access to health care remains one of the world s most urgent problems, and positive action could benefit millions of people in need. This event aims to create an open dialogue on how leaders, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders can work together to improve health care in Tanzania. The two-day summit will develop a roadmap for insuring all stakeholders participate in improving the delivery of comprehensive and effective health care. The conference will be structured by seven parallel sub-sessions focusing on non infectious disease, infectious disease, maternal and child health, occupational health, health policy and health system operations, food and drug safety and basic health science researches. Registrations are still going and for detailed information kindly check the website of Tanzania Health Summit or contact Dr. Chakou Halfani at [email protected]. OUR CONTACTS: EAST AFRICAN HEALTH PLATFORM (EAHP) P. O. BOX ARUSHA, TANZANIA, TEL: CELL: FAX: , [email protected], WEBSITE: MOTTO: FOSTERING STRONGER TIES FOR BETTER HEALTH IN EAST AFRICA