Guyana

The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project in Guyana seeks to strengthen the capacity of the government of Guyana (GOG) to develop sustainable systems for ensured availability and security of vital health commodities.

In many respects, Guyana is a pioneer country. Since the project’s inception under the incumbent in 2006, Guyana has celebrated many country firsts, including the first to procure commodities, the first to develop a national supply chain strategic plan, and the first to set up a field office. Guyana’s supply chain has since transformed to become one of the most advanced warehouse management systems in the Caribbean.

Under GHSC-PSM, the project continues to support Guyana’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in managing and strengthening the country’s health supply chain through technical support and capacity development, with a focus on product selection and use; forecasting and supply planning; procurement, warehousing, and distribution; and data management. We aim to strengthen Guyanese government ownership of the commodity supply chain with clear national roles and responsibilities, including a documented process at all levels of the commodity pipeline. With improved quantification, procurement, warehousing, and distribution processes, Guyana will be well placed to support the scale-up of HIV treatment programs through “Test and Start.”

Key activities in Guyana include:
 

• Support the restructuring, reorganization, and professionalization of the MOPH Procurement Unit with an emphasis on improved contract management capability
• Support the development of the logistics management unit (LMU) with capacity to manage Guyana’s national logistics management information system (LMIS), quantifications, and supply planning
• In collaboration with the MOPH and Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), organize a national LMIS workshop to address challenges and identify solutions for improving LMIS and pharmaceutical management
• Improve availability of medicines at health facilities by developing efficient and effective distribution and transportation models
• Develop a supply chain master plan for the MOPH and strengthen collaboration with MOPH supply chain stakeholders
• Procure U.S. President’s Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief-funded antiretrovirals to support implementation of the “Test and Start” strategy

GHSC-PSM is embedding Guyanese ownership, accountability, and management into the public health supply chain; building sustainability in the MOPH supply chain system; and reducing reliance on external stakeholders and implementing partners for technical assistance and funding support. Under a Memorandum of Understanding with MOPH and PAHO/WHO, we work in close collaboration to implement a strategic road map to strengthen pharmaceutical systems and management. We also coordinate with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other stakeholders to build sustainable supply chain systems.