REPOA hosted a policy workshop that brought together key stakeholders and policymakers in manufacturing and healthcare, from Tanzania and Kenya, to discuss the interim findings of a research project entitled “Industrial Productivity, Health Sector Performance and Policy Synergies for Inclusive Growth: A Study in Tanzania and Kenya”. The project is a collaboration between REPOA, the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Nairobi, the Open University, UK, and RAND-Europe, and is funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council.
The project objective is to identify ways in which improved local industrial production of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment, and other essential supplies can contribute to improved health sector performance in Tanzania and Kenya.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders representing policymakers in the industry and health sectors in Tanzania and Kenya, manufacturers of pharmaceuticals in both countries, health care providers, other public and non-government actors in health and industry sectors such as medical research institutions and industry associations, and researchers from all the institutions involved in the research project.
The workshop shared with participants the project findings concerning the supply chains of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment, and other essential supplies into the public, faith-based and private sectors of healthcare in each country, and the current role of local manufacturing producers in supplying these commodities. Participants debated the scope for improved local supplies and the extent to which this could improve availability and quality in health services. The project team will draw on these discussions and suggestions when designing the final stage of the project which aims to explore in depth with industrial companies in both countries some examples of potential improvements in locally produced supplies for the health sector.