3.4 Obtain essential medicines and medical supplies
Evaluate existing supply chains and order lists before rushing to obtain more. Pre-existing supply chains may be disrupted, and changing health needs may require different or additional supplies. However, poorly considered orders can lead to preventable overstocking (and understocking), and waste valuable resources. Work with the logistics cluster to address coordination and information management of the logistics response. The WFP is the lead agency of this cluster.
The UN can provide some emergency kits (Box 14). These kits are intended for new, acute crises with severe disruption to supplies. However, procurement and delivery takes about 3 months. In special circumstances, these kits can be modified to better suit your needs (discuss with the providing agency). Order kits or individual items through the UN country office or procurement partner .
Box 14 United Nations emergency supply kits
- Interagency Emergency Health Kit 2015 (10 000 people for 3 months)
- UNICEF Early Childhood Development Kit (50 children at the same time) and Recreation Kit (for 90 children simultaneously)
- UNICEF Midwifery Kit (50 normal deliveries)
- UNICEF Nutrition Kit (50 inpatients for 3 months)
- UNICEF Nutrition Kit (500 outpatients for 3 months)
- UNICEF Obstetric Surgical Kit (100 deliveries)
- UNICEF Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Kit
- UNICEF School Kit (40 students)
- UNFPA Interagency Reproductive Health Kit 2011 (10 000 or 30 000 or 150 000 people for 3 months) – and supplementary newborn kits
- UNFPA Basic Dignity Kit (one mother)
- WHO Cholera Kit (various kits for 100 patients at different facility levels)
- WHO Severe Acute Malnutrition with Medical Complications Kit (SAM/MC) (50 children)
Key actions – medicines and medical supplies
Adapted from the Sphere Health Standards (1)
- The RMNCAH/CAH working group and partners should collaborate with the health cluster and health sector leads to assess needs, including future demand, and ensure that essential supplies for children and adolescents are prioritized.
- Evaluate existing supply chains and order lists before rushing to obtain more.
- Establish and use a standardized essential medicines and medical device list based on your essential services package and service delivery plan, and a review of existing supply lists. Advocate for the inclusion of critical medicines and equipment, for example, for chronic conditions, sexual and reproductive health, pain relief, anesthesia, and for people with disabilities (assistive devices).
- Ensure availability of safe, essential medical devices through an effective management system.
- Accept donations of medicine and medical equipment only if they follow internationally recognized guidelines.
Key indicators – medicines and supplies
- Total number of days key medicines were not available in the past 30 days, e.g., paracetamol, amoxicillin, oxytocin, and sodium valproate.
- Total number of days basic equipment was not available or not functional in the past 30 days, e.g., blood sugar machine, pulse oximeter, thermometer, scales, soap, chlorhexidine, mid-upper arm circumference bands, and stethoscope.