By Samwel Doe Ouma @samweldoe
Establishing an effective supply chain is crucial to achieving equitable and affordable healthcare, experts have pointed out. Drawn from the government and private sector, the experts, speaking to Health Business during the 3rd Health and Humanitarian Supply Chain Summit, expressed that to achieve the objectives of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), government must observe good pharmaceutical practice and efficient supply chain.
Investing in effective health commodities supply chain management is crucial in determining cost, quality and accessibility of medicines, according to Meridian Health Group Chief Pharmacy Superintendent Dr. Simeon Onyango. “Supply chain determines drug delivery time and drug wastage levels. Reliable supply system ensures that people are accorded right to affordable, quality medicines available at the right time, right place in the right form in a right way and in a sustainable manner,” Dr. Onyango said.
These views were reinforced by Dr. Wesley Ooga, the Head of Health Information Systems at the Ministry of Health (MOH). Ooga maintained that while the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will boost access to health services, efficient supply chain will help achieve equitable and quality healthcare.
The Government approach to UHC is centred on three components which focus on expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening Primary Health care (PHC) by increasing Human Resources for Health, ensuring adequate commodity supply and the digitization of health service delivery and supply chain systems.
A quick survey by Health Business magazine established that majority of Kenyans rate healthcare service as ‘effective and quality’ if health services provision is offered by competent and committed human resource while some rate according to the state of physical facilities. The survey also established that most Kenya felt accorded “good treatment” if they are able to get the essential medicines, diagnostics and equipment at any public health facility they visit.
For majority of the sick in Kenya, prices of drug are a major determinant on whether they will be treated or not. To meet the treatment demand and supply dynamics one would require in place a reliable supply of stock on hand as the most crucial aspect of ensuring reliable access to lifesaving supplies and medicines.
Dr. Wafula Frank, a Lecturer at the school of Healthcare Management at Strathmore University, also noted that health commodity procurement and supply chain is a crucial aspect of ensuring access to lifesaving supplies and medicines by creating a reliable supply of stock on hand. “If estimates of need are too low that would lead to stock outs, shortages, and dangerous interruption of treatments, on the other hand if estimates are too high it leads to costly waste due to expiry.”
Access to medicine is a fundamental human right, like access to water or sanitation, according to the UN. WHO defines access as a two hour walk or 10-kilometer distance to the health facility that stocks at least 25 essential medicines. It further says that access alone is not enough but effective and of good quality. Eliud Mureithi, Director of Commercial Services at Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) urged healthcare providers to fully automate their supply chain, adding that KEMSA is in the process to fully automate its supply chain.
“Automating the supply chain management systems will ensure transparency in sourcing, pricing and the management of health supplies, and provide an early warning system for users about potential or actual problems in the supply, affecting short-term and longterm availability of supplies.” Eng. Chris Oanda, chairperson, Kenya Institute of Supply Management (KISM) challenged supply chain practitioners to observe best practices in handling and storing pharmaceutical products, adding that Kenya has enough medicine but because of both financial and supply chain challenges access to medicines has not been fully met.
While commenting on how health insurance can be linked with the supply chain design, AAR Insurance Brand Manager Ms Caroline Nekesa called for regulation of supply chain to help reduce charges and diagnostic equipment.
