ATM Network, Anambra Drug Store Strengthen Collaboration on Drug Supply
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Coalition of Civil Society Networks on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM Networks) has strengthened collaboration with the Anambra State Drug Store to improve the availability of essential drugs and enhance service delivery across the state.
The partnership was formalized Friday, May 22, 2006, during an advocacy engagement visit by the ATM Network to the State Drug Store Officer, John Osita, in Awka. The visit was conducted under the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring, CLM, Project, with technical support from the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, IHVN.
State Coordinator, TB Network, Anambra State, Ifeyinwa Unachukwu, said the meeting focused on assessing the operations of the Anambra State Drug Store system and its responsiveness to ATM-related services and medication demands.
“The engagement focused on understanding the operations of the Anambra State Drug Store system, assessing its responsiveness to ATM-related services and medication demands, and identifying areas for strengthened collaboration towards improving drug availability and service delivery across the State,” Unachukwu said.
She said the advocacy visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between the ATM Network and the State Drug Store management, discuss issues affecting the supply and distribution of ATM commodities, understand the operational structure of the drug store, and advocate for improved accountability at the local government level to prevent stock-outs of essential drugs.
Leading discussions on the operational processes of the State Drug Store and how its systems support the distribution of ATM drugs to healthcare facilities, Unachukwu said local government officers and facility personnel must be continuously sensitized on their roles in ensuring that essential ATM medications do not go out of stock.
“ATM Network emphasizes the need for Local Government officers and relevant facility personnel to be continuously reminded and sensitized on their critical roles in ensuring that essential ATM medications do not go out of stock within their respective LGAs,” she said.
“Gaps in communication, reporting, and timely requisition processes at the local level often contribute to avoidable stock-out situations,” she added.
State Program Officer, Onyekachi Ololo, acknowledged the contributions of development partners in supporting the procurement and supply of ATM drugs and service delivery tools.
“The ATM Network appreciated these interventions. We note that they have greatly enhanced service efficiency, improved access to treatment, and strengthened healthcare delivery outcomes for beneficiaries,” Ololo said.
Responding, Osita welcomed the partnership and highlighted the coordination mechanisms used in drug distribution, monitoring, and reporting within the state’s supply chain system.
The engagement revealed that the State Drug Store plays a central role in coordinating the distribution of essential ATM commodities, but that strengthened accountability and responsiveness among LGA-level officers remain critical. Development partner support was also identified as instrumental to sustaining ATM service delivery.
The meeting recommended continuous capacity strengthening for LGA officers and facility personnel on commodity management, improved communication and reporting between facilities and the State Drug Store, sustained collaboration between partners and government, and routine monitoring to address gaps promptly.
The meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration, accountability, and coordinated supply chain management in ensuring the continuous availability of ATM medications and commodities across Anambra State. ATM Network also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting interventions that strengthen healthcare systems and improve service delivery outcomes under the Integrated CLM Project.
