In order to continuously improve the capacity of its partners, the Principal Recipient (PR) - Procurement and Supply Chain Management team and Managed Cash Flow team - conducted LMIS trainings during August to December 2012 in all States and Regions together with partners from the National Programmes. The overall objective of the LMIS trainings was to train national staff at various levels, in order to have effective drugs storage practice and better reporting on stock situation for better planning and forecasting.

 These trainings were carried out with the aim of providing Logistics Standards, Policies and Procedures for implementing the GFATM grants and strengthening the capacities of the National Programmes in the management of their work and related supply needs. Refresher trainings on Managed Cash Flow to strengthen programme- and financial management practices in the public sector were also part of the two-day LMIS trainings.

Serial LMIS trainings included both Training of Trainers (TOT) trainings at central level (in Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyitaw separately for each disease programme) and multiplier trainings at peripheral level (in respective townships and combined for all three AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria National Programmes).

In collaboration with the National Programmes, the PR has successfully carried out all LMIS trainings as planned in 2012. The trainings conducted were as follows: for TOT, one training in Naypyitaw, two in Yangon, and one in Mandalay; for multiplier trainings, four trainings in Yangon, three in Mandalay, two in Monywa and one training each in Sittwe, Magway, Dawei, Mawlamyaing, Taunggyi, Pathein, Myitkyina, Bago, Hakha, Hpa-an, Kyaing Tone, Lashio and Loikaw to reach a total of 52 training days.

In total 1,500 participants from the National Programmes from the central and respective States and Regions participated in the LMIS trainings. Participants were comprised of selected Township Medical Officers, Regional Health Officers, and all focal persons from the National Programmes involved in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The LMIS training was conducted in Myanmar language by PR staff and National Programme staff.

The expected outcomes of these serial LMIS trainings are that participants have an overview of Logistics Management; can handle the supplies procured under GFATM Round 9 grants; can ensure that adequate quantity and quality supplies are always available; can forecast, order, deliver, receive, store and distribute essential commodities; can maintain records and produce reports along the entire supply chain; as well as collect and share logistics management information with all who need to use it.

Overall, the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Unit is very impressed with the progress of the LMIS training at central, state, region and field level and expects that results of the LMIS training will be seen in future in the form of better forecasting of stock needs informing procurement, better store management and reporting at every level. This training will significantly contribute to building the capacity of staff nationwide.