Assessment of Maternal and Child Health Commodities Supply Chain Management in selected public Health Facilities under Jimma branch of Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply Agency, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Health logistics system is responsible to ensure, obtain and use quality health supplies. In Ethiopia, the government is the primary health care provider and supplier of pharmaceuticals for the public sector. Strengthening supply chain management to ensure access to quality pharmacy services that will lead to improved health outcomes. The UN Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health highlighted the suffering of women and children around the world caused by lack of access to Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health commodities. Objective: To assess Maternal and Child Health Commodities supply chain management practice in selected public Health Facilities under Jimma Branch of Pharmaceutical Fund and Supply Agency, Ethiopia. Method: A facility based descriptive cross-sectional study complemented by qualitative approach was conducted in Fifty two public health facilities (Ten hospitals and Forty two health centers) that provide Maternal and Child Health service in south west of Ethiopia. The sample of health facilities was calculated by using the Logistic Indicators Assessment Tool. The data was collected using semistructured questionnaires and observation check lists from April 10 to May 10, 2017. Result: Quantification of MCH products was conducted both at central and branch PFSA. The Overall, availability of MCH commodities were 72.45% (hospital 65.2% and HCs 74.19).On average 38.8% of hospital and 36.47% of HC had stock out MCH commodities in the past 6 months prior to data collection. This is an indicator of weak supply chain. There was inconsistency in the usage of the LMIS formats for products. The overall supply chain management of Maternal and child health commodities both at Public Health Facilities and PFSA have challenges summarized under supply, demand, internal and external factors. Conclusion, Supply chain management of MCH Commodity in the study area was found to be weak.Interrupted supplies and stock outs are challenges in the SCM of MCH Commodities.In addition to this, Demand uncertainty and lack of data quality affect forecasting & planning activities of the product. Availability of MCH commodities at Health facility needs improvement. Because the supply chain of MCH product was interrupted due to Single sourcing strategy for majority of core products. Appropriate management of medicines at the different stages of supply chain is important because the ultimate goal of a supply chain system is to ensure product availability at all times and minimize wastage rate of the product.