Knowing the consumption rate of medicines, the process of ordering and calculating reproductive health medicines and family planning commodities and the effective management of these stocks are vital parts of the supply chain system. In Papua New Guinea, evidence shows there is consistent stock out of maternal health medicines and family planning commodities especially at Service Delivery Points (SDPs). 

As part of health system strengthening, UNFPA in collaboration with National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) supported capacity building on last mile distribution for service providers at the different levels of supply chain.  The recently concluded training focused on inventory management (ordering, storing and using) which is a key element of the supply chain to meet the demand of potential service users. 

A week-long RHCS Level 1 training for each batch was conducted back-to-back in Port Moresby, Lae, and Goroka for pharmacists, logistics officers, store men, Area Medical Stores managers, in-charges of SDPs and health facility pharmacy dispensers from the 22 Provincial Health Authorities over a duration of two months. In total, 64 health workers have been trained so far.

A participant of the Goroka leg of the training, Ms. Camilla Sabola, from the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority spoke on the importance of ordering stock. 

“The process of ordering stock, calculating stock, use of stock cards and disposal of expired medical supplies are very important aspects of the training that I have received as someone who works in the pharmaceutical side in the healthcare facility. Proper ordering of stock ensures a smooth management of supply chain, and thus, the management of supply chain is the core business of patient care and wellbeing.” 

“If we know how to effectively manage maternal health medicines and family planning commodities stock, we have in hand by knowing the difference between minimum and maximum stock and the process of correctly storing medicines, PHA’s will find that there is sufficient supply to maintain the dispensaries until the next stock arrives from the AMS.” She further expressed.

“Most times, stock is not distributed from Area Medical Stores to Provincial Health Authorities in time and this delay disrupts stock supply and shortage of medicines. With the knowledge acquired, I plan to run internal training for staff at the New Ireland PHA and bring them up to speed to ensure effective stock management.” She concluded.

With the completion of this RHCS Level 1 training, the 64 participants of which 20 who were trained are trainers are expected to lead future training and all are expected to upskill their staff on ground.  UNFPA and in collaboration with NDoH will conduct a post-training assessment at the end of the year to observe the improvement in supply chain management.