The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64501

Elvira Beracochea, MD MPH, Regional and Country Programs, BASICS II Project, 1600 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22209, 703-312-6896, eberacochea@basics.org and C Jane Briggs, BPharm, MCommH, Center for Pharmaceutical Management, Management Sciences for Health, 4301 N Fairfax Drive Ste 400, Arlington, VA 22203.

Inappropriate use and lack of essential drugs and supplies are common barriers to effective delivery of child health services as well as to effective implementation of innovative child survival interventions. There is potential in expanding the role of the Child Health Manager to contribute to solving most common management problems.

From a review of the BASICS II field projects, the session will define the programmatic components of four child survival interventions: Community-based Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (C-IMCI), Essential Nutrition Actions (ENA), Newborn Care (NBC) and Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), as well as the common drug and commodity management problems that affect their effectiveness. The session will discuss approaches used to improve drug and commodity supply management based on successes as well as failures from a variety of projects and contexts. These approaches focus on the child health program manager, caregivers themselves, community health workers as well as other providers of drugs and commodities in the public and private sectors.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
• Describe the main programmatic components of four child survival interventions and the common drug and commodity management problems that affect their effectiveness.
• Describe the use of selected supply management approaches to improve availability and use of drugs and commodities, and discuss what worked and what did not.
• Evaluate and develop the role of the Child Health Manager to overcome barriers that prevent effective child heath service delivery.

Keywords: Access and Services, Management and Sustainability

Related Web page: basics.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: BASICS II Project, RPM Plus Project, USAID
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by the BASICS II project