One of the major challenges facing the health sector
in any country is the continuing and sustainable provision of essential medicines
and medical supplies to all levels of the health care delivery system. In 2000,
UNTAET sought to secure the efficacy and efficiency of medicine supply in East Timor
through the following two measures:
 the appointment of a number
of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to provide public health services in all
of East Timor’s thirteen districts, including the appointment of the ICRC to manage
the National Hospital in Dili
the appointment of one NGO (GOAL,
of Ireland) to establish and manage a Medical stores operation GOAL’s objective
was to provide a central storage facility, which could effectively store pharmaceuticals
and other medical supplies for onward distribution throughout the public health
system. The functions of the Pharmacy were carried out by a team of East Timorese
Pharmacy Technicians and managed by an expatriate (GOAL). This was intended to be
a short-term arrangement only – GOAL’s contract to manage the Medical stores lapsed
at the end of 2000 and was not renewed. Concurrent to the establishment of the Pharmacy,
plans were drawn up by the Interim Health Authority (IHA) to implement a fully sustainable
and cost effective medical supplies system through the letting of two major contracts
under TFET funding.
These were:
- a civil works contract for the design, construction and equipping of a new Medical
Store facility in Dili, capable of serving as an appropriate central storage point
for all medical supplies for the East Timor public health system into the medium
and long term future, and The works contract was completed in January 2002, and
the facility has been fully operational since February 2002, when all stocks and
equipment were moved from the old Medical stores premises to the new Medical Store.
- a services contract for the establishment, operation and management of a new, commercially
run SAMES organisation. The services contract was awarded to Crown Agents, initially
for a 6-month period – contract activity began in September 2001.
Vision and Mission
The Our Vision for the SAMES is:
to contribute to the provision of
quality healthcare in East Timor through the creation of a centre of excellence
in pharmacy
The Mission statement for the SAMES will be:
to deliver servicesresults that meet
the health supply needs of our customers and stake holders.
to contribute to the development
of not only our own staff, but also District Health Management Team staff.
to use best Good Distribution Practicespractice
to procure, store and distribute medical products.
to employ, develop and reward skilled
and high-performing staff.
Goals
The goals for the organisation are as follows:
to ensure reliable and consistent
access to safe, affordable and effective essential medicines and medical supplies.
to be staffed and managed entirely
by East Timorese staff.
to be commercially run but on a “not-for-profit”
basis, and
to be operational autonomous and
financially self-sustaining.
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