Country Highlights

There are roughly 1.8 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS in Mozambique, of which approximately 99,000 are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). The government hopes to more than double this number to 215,000 by 2010.

Mozambique is hailed as an emerging model of effective logistics management and coordination in many circles. Donors are well coordinated and active. The public sector drives the national HIV/AIDS program and has complete ownership of national distribution systems. A single entity, the Central Medical Stores (CMAM), has visibility across the entire logistics system. Nevertheless, challenges remain and there are many areas for improvement. Among the most critical needs are enabling CMAM to effectively meet its goals and addressing the challenges created by rapid scale up of treatment sites.

SCMS has identified the following objectives for its program in Mozambique:

• Information Sharing. SCMS is working to improve the coordination of data between central and provincial levels and departments of CMAM, reinforced by trainings to CMAM on how to use the data to drive effective decision making.
• Capacity Building. Build forecasting, procurement, and logistics experience and expertise at both central and facility levels.
• Procurement and Distribution. Rapid scale up of treatment sites has created challenges in procurement and distribution. SCMS is conducting activities to improve the ability of warehouses to meet the needs created by the public sector's scale up plan.
• Improving laboratory logistics. SCMS is focusing on identifying and building processes to coordinate and share lab supply information while improving forecasting and procurement.

Value of commodities delivered as of December 2007: Over $7 million

Progress to date:

A total of US$7,302,809 in products has been delivered to Mozambique since the inception of SCMS through December 31, 2007.


In the summer of 2007, SCMS fulfilled an emergency order for a lifesaving triple, fixed-dose combination antiretroviral (ARV) to alleviate a stockout in Mozambique. Mozambique's Ministry of Health approached SCMS regarding a severe shortfall of the essential medicine due to delays on a direct order from the supplier. SCMS was able to fulfill two months' worth of the ARV from strategic stock held in the SCMS regional distribution center in Kenya. The shipments arrived smoothly during the last two weeks of June, thanks in part to the government's expedited pre-clearance procedures for the shipments.


In early February 2007, SCMS conducted a two-day training on supply chain monitoring and procurement planning for 23 participants from Mozambique's Ministry of Health and other partners, including the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the Clinton Foundation and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As part of the training, participants learned to use the PipeLine computer software program to analyze data and generate reports for monitoring stock.


SCMS and Ministry of Health staff trained in PipeLine later used the tool to update the country's supply plan for ARVs. As a result, orders for medicines no longer part of the standard treatment guidelines were cancelled and orders for more rapidly consumed medicines increased. The exercise also helped SCMS coordinate with the Ministry of Health and Clinton Foundation to phase in the supply of ARVs to be donated by UNITAID to the national program.


SCMS, the Ministry of Health and other partners are now using PipeLine software to improve supply planning for rapid HIV test kits to prevent shortages or overstocks. Ensuring a reliable supply of tests is crucial for Mozambicans to determine their HIV status, providing an entry point to HIV/AIDS care and treatment.