Vital Medicines and Health Systems Survey (VMAHS)
Crown Agents Zimbabwe > Vital Medicines and Health Systems Survey (VMAHS)Project Overview
Project Title: Vital Medicines and Health Systems Survey (VMAHS)
Legal Entity: Crown Agents Zimbabwe (CAZim)
Project Location: National (All Provinces and Districts in Zimbabwe)
Overall Project Value: USD $2.4 million
Project Status: Completed
Number of Staff Provided: 65
Client: UNICEF
Origin of Funding: Health Pooled Funds
Project Duration: 2016 – 2022
Project Background
The Vital Medicines and Health Systems Survey (VMAHS) was launched in 2009 to address ongoing challenges in the health system by systematically collecting data on the availability of vital medicines and the overall functionality of healthcare services across Zimbabwe.
With funding from the Health Pooled Funds and implemented in collaboration with UNICEF, the VMAHS provided critical insight into the supply gaps and challenges faced by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and its partners.
The project aimed to improve health delivery by assessing the availability of medicines, staff capacity, healthcare infrastructure, and service delivery efficiency across 1,400 health centers. It offered essential data that was used by the government to make evidence-based decisions, contributing to improvements in healthcare delivery and sustainable planning for the future.
Objective and Services Provided
The main objective of VMAHS was to assess and improve the availability of essential medicines and health services while identifying challenges and inefficiencies in the healthcare system. The survey focused on:
- Trends in Medicine Availability: Tracking the availability of essential medicines and health commodities in public health facilities supported through the Health Transition Fund.
- Availability of Health Services: Assessing the availability and quality of selected health services, ensuring that facilities were equipped to meet the needs of the population.
- System Efficiency: Evaluating the efficiency of the current system in delivering and replenishing vital medicines and health commodities as planned.
- Staff Availability and Capacity Strengthening: Identifying gaps in the healthcare workforce and assessing the need for capacity-building initiatives to strengthen human resources for health.
- User Fees: Examining the extent of user fee charges across the health system and their impact on access to care.
- Infrastructure Evaluation: Analyzing the existing infrastructure of health facilities to ensure that they could adequately support service delivery.
- Recommendations for System Improvement: Based on the data collected, CAZim made recommendations for improving healthcare delivery, focusing on areas such as infrastructure, workforce, and medicine supply.
Project Implementation
To ensure the success of the VMAHS, CAZim recruited and onboarded 65 project staff, who were selected based on performance-based contracts. Payment was contingent on the satisfactory completion of their roles and responsibilities as defined in their terms of reference. These staff members were crucial in collecting data, engaging with health facilities, and ensuring that the survey was conducted effectively across the country.
Key Results and Achievements
1. Improved Health System Monitoring
The VMAHS allowed the MoHCC and its partners to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing the health system, including gaps in medicine availability, staffing, and infrastructure. This data was used to inform planning and decision-making at the national level.
2. Evidence-Based Decision Making
The data collected through the VMAHS played a key role in enabling the government and development partners to make informed decisions about resource allocation and healthcare interventions. By identifying critical gaps and inefficiencies, the survey helped guide investments and interventions aimed at improving healthcare delivery.
3. Strengthened Healthcare System
The recommendations derived from the VMAHS contributed to ongoing efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s healthcare system. Improvements in the availability of medicines, staffing, and infrastructure were identified as key areas for action, leading to more effective and sustainable healthcare solutions.
4. Increased Access to Health Services
The survey highlighted areas where service delivery could be improved, helping ensure that health services were more accessible, especially in underserved areas. The data also helped reduce disparities in access to essential health services.
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