Scaling up antiretroviral therapy in Uganda: using supply chain management to appraise health systems strengthening
2011

Improving Antiretroviral Therapy Supply in Uganda

Sample size: 650000 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Ricarda Windisch, Peter Waiswa, Florian Neuhann, Florian Scheibe, Don de Savigny

Primary Institution: Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute

Hypothesis

Are health systems in Uganda being strengthened to sustain access to antiretroviral therapy?

Conclusion

The study indicates that the opportunity to use investments in antiretroviral therapy for strengthening the health system has not been fully realized.

Supporting Evidence

  • By the end of 2009, 200,400 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy in Uganda.
  • 95% of the national response to ART is currently covered by donor funds.
  • Only 27% of hospitals and about 40% of other health facilities received the quantities of essential drugs they ordered.

Takeaway

This study looks at how Uganda manages the supply of HIV treatment and finds that there are many problems that make it hard for people to get the medicine they need.

Methodology

The study used the WHO health systems framework, combining literature review, key informant interviews, and observations at health service delivery levels.

Potential Biases

Potential bias from reliance on self-reported data from health facilities and stakeholders.

Limitations

The study may not capture all local variations in health system performance across different districts.

Participant Demographics

The study focused on health facilities in Iganga District, which has a population of around 650,000.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1744-8603-7-25

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