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Towards Enhancing the Treatment of Patients in Sudan: UNDP and Ministry of Health Reach an Agreement on Broad-scale Procurement of Essential Medicines

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Sudan
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UNDP
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Khartoum, November 27th, 2016 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of International Cooperation and the Ministry of Health have reached in March 2016 a breakthrough agreement on broad-scale procurement of medicines, medical and laboratory equipment and consumables aiming to extensively increase access to treatment of patients in Sudan.

The ‘Support to the Procurement of Essential Medicines in Sudan’ project is an unprecedented endeavour to avail life-saving, cost effective and timely procurement of medicines targeting cardiovascular, respiratory and renal diseases, in addition to diabetes medicines, antibacterials, anaesthetics, and gastrointestinal medicines amongst others.

This agreement comes in line with Sustainable Development Goals No. 3 (“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”) and UNDP’s corporate Strategic Plan which centers on strengthening institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services.

Furthermore, the agreement reflects a strong governmental commitment to overcome challenges of access to convertible currency and restrictions on international banking transactions to avail medicines to vulnerable populations all across Sudan.

Totaling a budget of USD 60 Million for a duration of three years, the project is fully funded by the government of Sudan and sets the stage for further cooperation between UNDP, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of International Cooperation.

An event celebrating the arrival of medicines was organized today November 27th, at the premises of the National Medical Supplies Fund which was attended by UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Marta Reudas, UNDP Country Director Dr. Selva Ramachandran, Minister of Health Mr. Bahr Idriss Abu Garda, , acting Minister of International Cooperation Mr. Osman Ahmed Wash, Director of UNDP’s Health Implementation Team and Global Fund Partnership Mr. Hakan Bjorkman and a large number of representatives of the diplomatic corps in Sudan in addition to national and international agencies.

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Ms. Marta Ruedas addressed the ceremony where she called for greater partnership support to this initiative: “This innovative approach to delivering medicines, medical and laboratory equipment and consumables to Sudan aims primarily to alleviate the suffering of many patients, and we are therefore looking forward to building more partnerships with potential donors to support this unprecedented endeavour for the benefit of the Sudanese people.”

UNDP Country Director Dr. Selva Ramachandran further asserted that “The procurement of life–saving medicines is a culmination of a firm partnership with the Ministry of Health that dates back to 2005. This successful collaboration stems from our commitment to health and development in Sudan which are two major pillars to our work here.”

For his part, Minister of Health Bahar Idris stated that “This is an important partnership and is a major milestone in our relationship with UNDP which we hope will further prosper in the future for the benefit of the Sudanese people. I wish to thank UNDP for its procurement of life saving medicines to Sudan which are critical for many households.”

Minister of Interatrial Cooperation Osman Ahmed Wash “Delivering of life-saving medicines to vulnerable populations is a priority for the government of Sudan. We have invested in a number of partnerships to achieve this objective as part of our commitment to realizing agenda 2030.”

Gradually developing the capacities of relevant national institutions, UNDP has since 2005 assisted the Ministry of Health in the provision of procurement support services as part of its strategy to strengthening institutions to deliver universal access to basic services and in line with the Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 “Ensure Healthy lives and promote well being for all at all ages

For more information, please contact Ms. Yusra Salim, Team Coordinator UNDP Partnerships and Communication, yusra.salim@undp.org