Assessment of Health commodities /materials Management Practices and Challenges: The Case of Nifas Silk Lafto Sub-city Health Center

Abstract

The purpose of this study examined the inventory management practices and challenges on healthcare delivery taking Nifas Silk Lafto Sub-city health center as a case. To this end, both primary and secondary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaire, observation, review of reports and interview. The collected data were analyzed using narrative analysis and descriptive statistics. Many respondents recognize and appreciated some of the challenges asked indicated areas of focus for improvement and action. The top five challenges encountered while managing health commodities include: delays in delivery of drugs leading to insufficient inventories , lack of modern technologies, insufficient funding, lack of inventory management training, the length of bureaucratic processes in the procurement system and stock out of health commodities. Such challenges have been reflected through frequent stock outs leading to services interruptions atthe health center.The study revealed that the health center has long-term agreements with its suppliers, maintain proper store management, the majority of the store managers had adequate knowledge on health commodities management and they had also a positive attitude towards the importance of appropriate storage of commodities including handling of obsolete, expired, or damaged inventories.