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Kollie KK, Jenkins J, Theobald S, Nallo G, Kpadeh O, Jones L, Borbor D, Phillip M, Wickenden A, Kollie JT, Rogers E, Zaizay Z, Stewart M, Dean L. Unpacking the impact of integrating the neglected tropical disease supply chain into the national supply chain system: illustrative evidence from Liberia. Parasitology 2023; 150:1052-1062. [PMID: 37927101 PMCID: PMC10801370 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Effective supply chain management is a critical pillar of well-functioning health systems ensuring that medical commodities reach those in need. In Liberia, the national neglected tropical disease (NTD) programme supports health systems strengthening for case management of NTDs. Integration of NTD commodities into the national health system supply chain is central to the integrated approach; however, there is minimal evidence on enablers and barriers. Drawing on qualitative evaluation data, we illustrate that perceived benefits and strengths to integrating NTD commodities into the supply chain include leveraged storage and management capacities capitalized at lower system levels; the political will to integrate based on cost-saving and capacity strengthening potential and positive progress integrating paper-based reporting tools. Challenges remain, specifically the risk of reliance on donor funding; difficulty in accessing commodities due to bureaucratic bottlenecks; lack of inclusion of NTD commodities within electronic data tools and poor coordination leading to an inability to meet demand. Collectively, the negative consequences of ineffective integration of NTD commodities into the supply chain has a detrimental impact on health workers (including community health workers) unable to deliver the quality of care to patients. Trust between affected populations and the health system is compromised when treatments are unavailable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsor K. Kollie
- Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health-Liberia, Congo Town Back Road, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Jack Jenkins
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Sally Theobald
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Gartee Nallo
- University of Liberia Pacific-Institute for Research Evaluation, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Otis Kpadeh
- University of Liberia Pacific-Institute for Research Evaluation, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Lent Jones
- University of Liberia Pacific-Institute for Research Evaluation, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Darwosu Borbor
- Cuttington University Graduate School, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Maneesh Phillip
- Effect Hope, 200-90 Allstate Pkwy, Markham, ON L3R 6H3, Canada
| | - Anna Wickenden
- Effect Hope, 200-90 Allstate Pkwy, Markham, ON L3R 6H3, Canada
| | - Jewel Tarpeh Kollie
- A. M. Dogliotti School of Medicine, University of Liberia, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Emerson Rogers
- Department of Health Services, Ministry of Health-Liberia, Congo Town Back Road, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Zeela Zaizay
- Action Transforming Lives, Congo Town Backroad, Monrovia, Liberia
| | - Martyn Stewart
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Laura Dean
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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