Khartoum: A verification team from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria visited the National Medical Supplies Fund (NMSF) to assess the execution of recommendations from a Global Fund workshop held in Addis Ababa last April. The visit primarily aimed at ensuring that donated medicines are directly delivered to health facilities, thereby allowing patients easier access to treatments closer to their homes.
According to Sudan News Agency, the delegation met with the NMSF Acting Director General, directorates directors, and the International Relations Directorate, Dr. Tahani Abdelrahim. The meeting included a review of the progress made by the NMSF before the outbreak of war and a visual presentation on the damage sustained by the NMSF’s infrastructure and the ongoing challenges.
Dr. Tahani provided a comprehensive briefing on the Direct Facility Access Plan’s progress and highlighted the obstacles faced in executing it. The Global Fund team carefully considered the Fund’s recommendations on overcoming these challenges.
The delegation also received updates on the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which has been restored, and plans to expand its application across health facilities to improve supply chain efficiency. This expansion aims to prevent potential stock shortages or surpluses.
During their visit, the team toured the Data Center and Warehouse No. 1, confirming the adherence of the NMSF to good storage and distribution practices. The visiting team expressed appreciation for the NMSF’s advanced electronic systems and efficient documentation processes, noting significant progress in implementing the Direct Facility Access Plan in several states.
The delegation plans to continue its field visits to various NMSF branches and health facilities throughout the states to monitor implementation progress and ensure comprehensive coverage of Global Fund-supported items.