Supply chain of some medicines in health facilities in Jos, Nigeria: post Federal Ministry of Health mapping survey

Abstract

The Nigerian health system is fraught with inadequate personnel, weak logistics systems and poor service delivery. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) report on mapping of partners’ procurement and supply management systems for medical products with its recommendations was evaluated. An assessment of Supply Chain Management (SCM) of health facilities as well as the different categories of personnel that manage them was conducted. The study indicated 79.5% of the facilities received free antimalarials, 46.2% received free ARV and 23.1% received free antituberculosis. Facilities (94.9%) were not involved in the product selection as it was undertaken by providers. Also, 65.4% of the facilities received expiring drugs, 87.2% did not have well trained and efficient staff. In addition, 88.5% admitted that supplies were sometimes delayed and they (65.4%) are usually not intimated of the reasons, 66.2% do not calculate average monthly consumption, 59.5% submit LMIS report monthly while 60.0% do not have inventory control system. The study indicated that stock out and supply interruptions still exist several years after FMoH survey and recommendations. This study found that logistic challenges still exist at the SDPs implying that either FMoH recommendations were not implemented or implementation was ineffective in addressing the challenges.

Keywords: inventory management, logistics, procurement and supply management, supply chain management