Quito, April 22, 2016 (PAHO / WHO) - The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) is supporting Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health in organizing collection centers and distributing medicines and donated medical supplies to care for those affected by the earthquake that struck April 17.
Logistics experts from PAHO / WHO are collaborating with Ecuador's Directorate of medicaments. They are setting up orderly, efficient systems to send medications to health facilities in earthquake-affected areas. They are also training volunteers to classify and identify drugs that arrive, and to use the Humanitarian Supply Management System software (LSS / SUMA) developed by PAHO / WHO.
This software allows quick, efficient monitoring of the arrival, classification, stock control and delivery of supplies and medicines. It is also used to record information from national and international donations to inform donors that their donations have arrived and where they are being used. "Reaching the most affected areas quickly with necessary medicines and supplies is vital in responding to this emergency," said Dr Gina Tambini, PAHO's representative in Ecuador. "The system that the Ministry of Health is setting up, with support from PAHO, allows us to manage drug donations in an orderly and efficient manner, for distribution to health services that need it most, "she added.
The comprehensive SUMA supply management system was installed in two drug collection centers: in Manta, one of the cities most affected by the earthquake, and in Quito, the capital. Ecuadorian health authorities can see what drugs are available, and can assign priorities according to the needs of those affected by the quake. Others using the system include the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security, the Directorate of Coordination ECU911 Mesa 4 Inputs and Humanitarian Aid in Crisis.
Donors of drugs and medical supplies include the governments of Spain and organizations and companies in Ecuador. To date, they have received a number of medicines and medical supplies that are on the list of 150 essential drugs supplies, established by the Ministry of Health. To ensure attention to the most urgent needs, only those items on the list are accepted as gifts, and they must still be valid for use.
One day after the collection center was set up in Quito April 21, Natalia Rosales, of the National Office for Drugs and Medical Devices , who is in charge of the operation, inspected the shipment s of medicines to the most affected provinces, and verified the functioning of the SUMA along with Alejandro Santander, PAHO's Advisor on Emergencies and Disasters. The center is operated by technicians from the Ministry of Public Health, and college student volunteers who support the organization and provision of medicines and supplies.
LSS / SUMA is considered a very useful tool for countries to ensure transparency and efficiency in relief operations and medication management. It can also be used to inventory, control and distribute donations of building materials, search and rescue equipment, shelters, food, and other personal needs.
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