A logistician in Angola applies her skills to make sure malaria medicines reach communities when they need them
“The supply chain management course opened new avenues for me as a health professional. Shortly after completing the course, I became the head of logistics for the Malaria National Program… I understand that timely delivery of malaria commodities is essential to saving lives and I use my voice and my upgraded capacity to ensure that medicines arrive on time where they are needed.”
– Dr. Sandra da Silva, Head of Logistics Activities, National Malaria Control Program at the National Directorate of Public Health, Angola
When Dr. Sandra da Silva finished her degree in pharmaceutical sciences, she wanted to use her knowledge to save lives. She began her career as a pharmacist in the private sector, and later joined Angola’s Ministry of Public Health, working as a logistician.
Sandra applied for a 12-month postgraduate course in Supply Chain Management funded by the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative. The course strengthened her knowledge of global best practices in supply chain commodity logistics, including warehousing, transportation, and distribution systems. When she completed the course, Angola’s National Malaria Control Program recruited her to lead the program’s logistics activities. In this new role, Sandra travels around the country ensuring products are stored correctly and overseeing distribution planning to ensure medicines get where they need to go to keep communities safe from malaria.
The Supply Chain Management Course supported the Government of Angola’s gender transformation initiative to create an inclusive environment for women in leadership positions at every step of the health supply chain. Since 2020, 28 supply chain logisticians in Angola, of which 20 were women, have successfully completed the one-year course.
Cover photo: Dr. Sandra da Silva conducts inventory checks on antimalarial medicines at the central medical store in Angola ahead of distribution. Photo credit: GHSC-PSM Angola