SANU Pharmacy Department Strengthens Public Health Supply Chain Learning Through Ministry of Health Collaboration

The Department of Pharmacy at Southern Africa Nazarene University, under the Faculty of Health Sciences, hosted a highly impactful guest lecture on “Overview of Public Health Supply Chain Systems in Eswatini” in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The session provided pharmacy students with practical insight into how medicines, vaccines, medical supplies, and other health commodities are planned, procured, stored, distributed, and delivered across the public health system. The lecture highlighted the critical message that without reliable access to health commodities, health programmes cannot succeed.

Delivered by Mr. Denis Okidi, the lecture exposed students to key areas including quantification, procurement, warehousing, inventory management, distribution, data use, financing, sustainability, and current challenges affecting public health supply chains. Students also gained an appreciation of the role played by the Ministry of Health, Central Medical Stores, health facilities, development partners, and pharmacy professionals in ensuring continuous access to essential medicines.

The engagement reinforced that pharmacy practice extends beyond dispensing. The pharmacy profession is vital to health system strengthening, medicine availability, supply chain management, and improved patient outcomes.

SANU extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Health and Mr. Denis Okidi for supporting this important academic engagement. This collaboration marks another step towards strengthening preservice pharmaceutical education and preparing future pharmacy professionals who are responsive to the healthcare needs of Eswatini.

More impactful engagements are yet to come.