Progress towards ending today’s global health challenges like HIV/AIDS would not be possible without the support from #SupplyChainHeroes around the globe. Operating through USAID’s Global Health Supply Chain, these individuals ensure lifesaving antiretroviral treatment and other essential HIV/AIDS commodities reach those most in need.
Meet Anita Shimirimana, a Supply Chain Hero in Burundi who is working to keep her country HIV-free.
Over 78,000 Burundians are living with HIV. As a key implementer of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID strives to identify, test, and treat HIV- positive individuals and ensure they are virally suppressed (an indication that antiretroviral treatment is working). Along this continuum enters each stage of USAID’s supply chain - from manufacturers making antiretroviral therapies, drivers delivering medicine to clinics, warehouse workers storing commodities, nurses testing samples for HIV, to lab workers monitoring the effectiveness of treatment.
As a lab technician in Burundi’s Ngozi district, Anita operates the viral load testing machine, which tests for the level of HIV in the blood. Results showing low viral loads indicate that antiretroviral treatment is working, and, if low enough, can mean that the virus is untransmittable. Anita diligently prepares and analyzes hundreds of blood samples every day.
“We’re analyzing 768 samples per week,” Anita explains. “For our lab needs, we depend on the supply chain, which allows us to run the viral load test machine.”
The machine itself is supported through USAID’s supply chain through preventive, conditional, and curative maintenance and the replacement of spare parts.
“Every month we request supplies from CAMEBU [Burundi’s central medical store], then they are delivered to the lab. We manage and track them to make sure we have enough,” said Anita.“ Detailed and timely inventory tracking and management of machine needs and laboratory commodities lessens the risk of stockouts. This ensures the lab can adequately provide viral load testing for the community and neighboring provinces.
Anita’s supply chain support allows thousands of Burundians to know their own health status, empowering them to protect their own health and prevent further transmissions.
“What I’m interested in, first of all, is helping the patients and to see that HIV patients have an undetectable viral load. Also, to see children born with HIV negative test results. I’m very glad when this happens.”
Despite the challenging nature of her work, Anita takes pride in her job and knows she plays an essential part in Burundi’s fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Sometimes I work long hours, but I know it is helping my country,” Anita reflects. “I’m proud of my job. I believe we can end HIV/AIDS, and the work we are doing in the Ngozi lab has an impact in the fight against this epidemic.”
In just one year, the Burundi Ministry of Public Health has doubled the number of Burundians with access to viral load testing. With support from Supply Chain Heroes like Anita, controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic is within reach.
The USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program (GHSC) is a collection of 8 complementary projects, including Procurement and Supply Management (PSM), working to achieve stronger, more resilient health supply chains that ensure an uninterrupted stream of quality health products and services for millions of people worldwide.
Photos by GHSC-PSM/Bobby Neptune