Edo Commissioner Advises PSM-TWG To Ensure Transparency, Accountability In Health Commodity Supply

…As Edo Hosts 2022 Integrated Regional Procurement and Supply Management Technical Working Group
 

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria has advocated the need for Integrated Regional Procurement and Supply Management to establish a comprehensive framework for optimizing all resources in an integrated manner for a responsive, cost effective, efficient, transparent and accountable health commodity supply chain system for all public health programs in their respective state.

Edo State Ministry of Health played host to this year 2022 Annual Meeting of the Integrated Regional Procurement and Supply Chain Management Technical Working Group in Benin City, the state capital.

The participating states are Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and the host state, Edo.

While welcoming participants to the meeting, Prof. Akoria who was represented by Dr. Stanley Ehiarimwian, Functioning Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Edo State, opined that the theme, “Refocusing the Public Health Supply Chain through Integration for Sustainable System” is very apt especially in the face of the reduction in partner resources, insecurity, staff attrition and inflation.  

She said that, access to essential medicines and other health products is an important strategy to realizing Universal Health Coverage and this remains a major problem of the health system in Nigeria.

According to Prof. Akoria, there is an urgent need to establish a comprehensive framework for optimizing all resources in an integrated manner for a responsive, cost effective, efficient, transparent and accountable health commodity supply chain system for all public health programs.

She appreciate the initiative of the Procurement and Supply Chain Management Technical Working Group which is a rallying point for all Stakeholders in the supply chain system to discuss and make decisions that will improve the health commodity supply chain system specifically and the citizens health in general.

Prof. Akoria said that, Edo State PSM-TWG has through its coordination meeting and advocacy calls fostered healthy relationship among key players which has provided us avenues to leverage on available resources for quantification, integrated commodity distribution, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and sample pick and logistics data reporting and management for various public health programs in the State. This has resulted in efficient use of available resources and minimizes wastages across the various level of supply chain.

“In addition to this, the Edo State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is committed to promoting the health status of the people of Edo state and improving quality of health care services. This commitment is reflected in the recruitment of qualified health personnel, procurement of health commodities, and collaboration with local and foreign partners.

“This goes to show that concerted efforts by supply chain actors and decision makers through an effective coordinating structure and enabling political and economic environment can achieve integration of the health sector supply chain,” she concluded.

During the meeting, each state representatives were allowed to make a presentation on SCM, SWOT Analysis, Key SCM achievement, SC challenges and Solutions, State led plan for SC sustainability and ownership, 2021 Mitigation action plan tracker, COVID-19 vaccine logistics progress report and NISDRN update report.

There were also a brainstorming session on Developing mitigate plan for identified challenges, Consensus Building and Update on SLMCU Quarterly Factsheet.

Partners were allowed to also make their presentations on Key SCM achievement, SCM Challenges and Proposed Solutions, Plans for SC Sustainability and Ownership and Feedback/Comments.