E4A Research Report: Availability of Maternal and Newborn Drugs and Supplies in Health Facilities in Kano, Nigeria, January-March 2013

Nigeria has committed to saving the lives of one million women and children through increased access to quality cost-effective health services and supplies by 2015.  However, shortages of essential drugs are common throughout the country. A key goal of Evidence for Action (E4A) MamaYe is to ensure that facilities are fully-stocked with essential medication to treat the major causes of maternal and newborn death.  This study aimed to investigate resources in health facilities, including the availability of drugs and drug stock outs. Methods

• Qualitative interviews were conducted from January- April 2013
• Interviews were conducted with facilities’ head of pharmacy department and the matrons for the maternity wards in all selected facilities
• 9 health facilities were randomly selected out of the total 29 facilities providing maternity services
• 5 facilities were urban, 1 was semi-urban and 3 facilities were rural
• An interview was also conducted with the Director of the Kano State Drug Management Agency, to inform the state level financing and procurement process 

Key Findings

• Almost all facilities assessed did not have the necessary quantities of lifesaving drugs and supplies available
• 7 out of 9 facilities did not have enough magnesium sulphate (used to treat eclampsia) and two thirds did not have enough chlorhexidine (for newborn cord care)
• 2 facilities out of 9 did not have any newborn resuscitation supplies to help babies breathe (ie. bags and masks)
• Half of the facilities experienced stock-outs of lifesaving drugs during the month prior to data collection, often during  last week of the month before replacement of supplies
• The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables and Supply Agency (KADMCSA) is the primary source of drugs and medical supplies to hospitals and primary health care facilities
• KADMCSA aims to improve quality and price of commodities 
• Most facilities (67%) reported that drugs were supplied by the drug management agency to pharmacies in the correct dosage, and that this was not a challenge to delivering lifesaving commodities  

Conclusion and recommendationsEnsuring that health facilities have lifesaving resources, including drugs and equipment, will help improve the health of mothers and babies.  Recommendations to improve the availability of drugs include:    

• Ensure adequate quantities of lifesaving drugs and supplies in all health facilities, particularly those on the essential medicines list and/or provided through the free maternal, newborn, and child health services
• Improve facility planning to reduce frequency and duration of stock outs (particularly of  maternal and newborn health  drugs)
• Reduce delays in distribution of supplies after requests, and improve availability of human resources 

To read the report for free, click here. Evidence for Action. (2015). E4A Research Report: Availability of Maternal and Newborn Drugs and Supplies in Health Facilities in Kano, Nigeria, January-March 2013. London & Abuja: Evidence for Action.