Medical Supplies Inventory Management Performance of Public Health Facilities in East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Medical supplies play a crucial role in health care by providing essential supplies for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients. These medical supplies are essential tools for health care professionals to deliver high quality medical services. Effective inventory management is vital for ensuring uninterrupted availability of essential medical supplies in health facilities. Poor inventory management in health facilities leads to wastage, stock out and decline in the quality of patient care. Objective: This study aimed to assess medical supplies inventory management performance of public health facilities in East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia Method: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a concurrent mixed method in 15 health facilities, which included 13 health centers and 2 hospitals. Data were collected from health professionals, documents and health facilities’ warehouse using structured questionnaire, checklists and semi structured interview guide from November to December 2024. The study assessed 26 essential medical supplies. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 and presented using tables and graphs. Thematic analysis techniques were employed to analyze qualitative data and the results were presented with narration supported by direct quotes taken from participants’ responses. Result: From the studied health facilities 11(73.3%) of them implemented both computerized and paper based Logistics management information system. Out of the assessed 390 bin cards only 268(68.7%) of them were updated and average inventory accuracy rate stood at 66.9%. Examination gloves, surgical gloves and syringes, were highly stocked out medical supplies in all facilities with an average duration of 24-25 days. The study revealed a wastage rate of 3.85%,. And 86.7% of facilities met desirable storage conditions. Inadequate human resources, insufficient budget, lack of training, and weak management support were identified as major inventory management challenges. Conclusion and Recommendation: Medical supplies inventory management performance of the facilities was found to have gaps in inventory accuracy, stock availability and storage conditions that hinder optimal performance. Major challenges were found to be poor management support, budget scarcity, inadequate human resource, lack of continuous capacity building program and poor communication. II Therefore, health facilities need to regularly update and maintain accurate logistics records, invest in improving the physical conditions of store rooms and explore alternative financing mechanisms to supplement woreda allocations. And also the zone health bureau needs to organize regular and targeted training programs for professionals, and increase the frequency of supportive supervision.