InhealthSupply Limited, a Non-Governmental Organization has assured of its commitment to work with both the National and County governments in providing health supplies through the online application ‘cStock’ to strengthen community health supply chains.
Inhealthsupply Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ms Yasmin Chandani, said the online application led by Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) across nine counties which include Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Siaya, Mombasa, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, Nairobi and Nyeri have been focusing on identifying strategies for institutionalizing and sustaining data.
“We support the use of data and digital innovations to guide decision making for performance improvement,” added Chandani.
She however noted that stockouts of medicines and supplies have continued to hinder the Community Health Volunteers’ ability to deliver services which are seriously needed in the communities.
The CEO was speaking during the National Dissemination meeting themed ‘Building Stronger Supply Chains with Data’ held at a Nairobi hotel that brought together County Health Management Teams from nine Counties and collaborating partners.
Chandani explained that the Community Health Volunteers usually report the stock data using their mobile phone to the cstock network which automatically generates a resupply request and sends it to the health facility, which she said has helped to close the distance, service delivery and commodity supply gap between the communities and the health centres.
She at the same time lauded the Community Based Programmes saying that they have helped to save the lives of sick children as they are treated close to their homes.
In his remarks, the Ministry of Health Head of Department for Primary Healthcare, Dr Salim Hussein, said the government seeks to implement Universal Healthcare Coverage as access to healthcare is important.
“Technology is an important part of the ministry and we have the digital health platform with 23 modules which will be launched soon. Among the modules is the commodity module which is crucial in our service delivery,” revealed Dr Hussein.
He at the same time announced that the government is in the process of putting in place an information warehouse where all the health data will be found to enable partners willing to work with the ministry to harmonize their data.
“We are facing a lot of stockouts and challenges in supplying commodities currently and I would like to thank InhealthSupply for venturing in that area,” said Dr Hussein.
He urged County Governments to implement and seek sustainable measures so that the community-based programs do not collapse in the absence of sponsors.
By Njeri Kariuki and Kishengo Gathigia
