A high level key Stakeholders conference was organized to strengthen Integrated Last Mile Delivery and Requisition Review Meeting aimed at assessing current supply chain processes and reinforcing collaboration among partners in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Agency Faruk Isah Musa which was sent to thetentaclesnews.com.ng
The meeting which was held in Kano, was organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Capacity 4 Sustainable Development (C4SD), and brought together key stakeholders including top officials from the Ministry of Health and its relevant agencies, as well as representatives of Essential Drug Officers, MCH Coordinators, representatives of In-state team, Zonal Warehouse Managers, Transborder Logistics, warehouse store officers both at central and zonal levels, some members of the DMCSA fleet unit, and implementing partners.
The session focused on evaluating the performance of the last-mile delivery system, validating requisitions from facilities, and identifying bottlenecks in the distribution of commodities.
It sets out to provide updates on stock positioning and integrated last-mile delivery activities. It also aims to identify operational gaps and develop practical solutions to ensure effective implementation and to agreed on actionable next steps, with clear timelines and designated responsible persons to drive progress.
In her welcome address, the Family Planning Coordinator, Dr Aisha Barka, welcomed the participants to the meeting and implored them to used what they learned judiciously for effective service delivery
In his opening remarks, the Director Pharmaceutical Services and Chairman State Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSS-C) Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu emphasized the importance of an integrated approach to last-mile delivery, noting that “timely access to health commodities is critical to achieving universal health coverage in Kano State.”
DPS noted that Kano State Government remains committed to strengthening its health supply chain systems in line with national guidelines and global best practices.
In his contribution, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Muhammad, the Director Public Health and Disease Control at the State Ministry of Health called on participants and other stakeholders to highlight their achievements and successes in supply chain activities through research and the presentation of well-developed conference papers.
He further emphasized the need to strengthen existing frameworks to promote transparency and ensure accountability in commodity management.
During the meeting, resource persons, including Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, Director, the Drugs and Supply at Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) and Bello Muhammad Dandago, SSHCSS-C Focal Person at the State Primary Health Care Management Board, made presentations on fleet management operations, requisition management, as well as iLMD activities – family planning and essential medicines.
Later the participants have robust discussions on how to reconcile health facility commodity requisitions with actual needs and consumption data, evaluate stock status and delivery timelines, address challenges in logistics coordination and data reporting, and strengthen accountability mechanisms across all levels of the health supply chain.
While delivering goodwill messages, the representatives from development partners, which includes Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC-ESM), reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the state’s efforts to ensure equitable and efficient distribution of health commodities.
On his part, the State Team Lead, C4SD, expressed optimism that the outcomes of the meeting will inform strategic adjustments in supply planning and delivery schedules, as well as guide continuous capacity building for logistics personnel at the Local Government Areas and facility levels.
He also assured C4SD’s determination to ensure commodity accountability in line with the state’s accountability framework and work closely with the state’s programs and supply chain leadership to ensure remarkable improvements in the state’s supply chain.
While outlining the next steps, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services in the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board, Pharm. Abdullahi A. Danzabuwa re-emphasized that the iLMD initiative has come to stay in the state.
