Dear Members, Partners and Friends,
As much as you are aware, the global Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is now a global pandemic, becoming both a health and economic challenge. The risks of the pandemic have already been widely witnessed. It has costed lives, threatened lives, stretched health facilities and resources. It has also influenced our daily lives and activities, restricting movements, affecting global market for supply of medical products, limited operations of our different health interventions and activities among other effects.
COVID-19 started in one region and now a global menace. This once again draws our attention to the realities of our health systems, especially in low-resource settings where majority of our interventions are implemented. It also reminds us of the role of infection prevention and control, access and supplies of medical product, healthcare staffing and how ready we are to handle health emergencies in addition to the challenges we already face. Such are not new, however, but underscore the significance our relentless commitment, partnership and collaboration, and calls us to consistent efforts to strengthen our health systems through our various interventions.
We are also aware of risks arising from such outbreaks, such as stock outs or rise in prices for some items such as surgical masks, making financial accessibility difficult for health facilities. Such Pandemic periods also serve as a malicious opportunity for pharmaceutical criminals to take advantage. The sale of poor quality hydro alcoholic disinfectants and other medicines to treat symptoms and possible bacterial co-infections is an expected risk. We ask our member Drug Supply Organizations to share their availability with us in real time so that we can relay such information to other members. We also recommend that you make sure that the drug supplies for your health facilities are made in accordance with the supply chain systems established in the respective countries.
In the coming week, as part of EPN’s strategic priority area; Research and Information Sharing, EPN is going to open an online discussions platform where members can share their views and experiences on various topics. Each open topical discussions will take a period of 2 weeks. The summary of these discussions will be shared with all members.
Here at the Secretariat, we continue in our course towards promoting access to just and compassionate quality pharmaceutical services. Even so, we have taken necessary preventive measures to protect our staff according to the recommended guidelines and advisory. The EPN staff are now working remotely as we continue to monitor the situation.
We advise and encourage that you stay informed and take necessary measures to stay safe and observe the guidelines provided by WHO and the relevant authorities. EPN will continue to share useful information through our various communication platforms in response to this outbreak and keep you informed. As we continue with our work, we will also keep you updated as usual on our respective projects, activities and events.
If you have any questions or information to share, please be free to get in touch with us through the email address; info@epnetwork.org.
Richard Neci Cizungu,
The Executive Director.