Abstract:
Various studies recognize that an effective and efficient Supply Chain Management (SCM) is an impressive tool for achieving a cost-effective outcome for entire parties inside and outside any institution, as well as customer service satisfaction. Despite considerable efforts made in ensuring the availability of health commodities, according to an assessment done in rural districts of Rwanda, there have been identified that ineffective performance can lead to health commodities stock-outs and wastage. However, there are not many research outputs conducted to assess the performance of Health Supply Chain Management (HSCM) in Rwandan Rural health facilities.
The general objective of this study was to assess the performance of health supply chain management in rural public health facilities
Methods
To evaluate the performance of HSCM in public health facilities located in the Nyaruguru district of the southern province of Rwanda, the researcher used a cross-sectional study design. The purposive sampling approach was used to determine the study sample size. The data was collected using questionnaires and a checklists with the guide from Logistics Indicator Assessment Tool (LIAT). After collecting the data, the researcher used SPSS software to analyze the data before being presented.
Results
The study showed that rural health facilities in Nyaruguru district consist of 1 district hospital and 16 health centers, all serving as service delivery points (SDPs). All staff responsible for supply chain management(HSCM) received at least 1 or more trainings on HSCM (100%) and their work experience are rated below 1 year (18%), 1-5 years (65%), 6-10 years (6%), 11years and above (12%). The performance of storage practices is efficient as revealed by results of this study with mean deviation of 4.58, standard deviation 0.594, and represented by 92%. The study findings revealed that 35% of Rural Health Facilities have inventory inaccuracy while 65% have inventory accuracy. The study revealed that 100% of Health commodities are delivery by supplier’s vehicle, and the distribution is done monthly as represented by 94%.
The study results showed that all health facilities are using electronic logistic Management Information Systems (e-LMS) as provided by all population of this study (100%), and all reports are submitted to a higher level as represented by 100%. Most reports are submitted before the 6th day of the month as represented by 94%, and within the last month represented by 6%. The study showed that 53% of Health facilities, with last 2 months, received 3 to 5 invoices and 41% are invoiced 0 to 2, 6% are invoiced 6 and above.
Conclusion
The major findings showed that there is performance in Health Supply Chain Management in Nyaruguru Rural Health Facilities which hard-pressed to conclude that all objectives were achieved and research questions were answered. It should also conclude that for all variables (dependent and independents) there is a significate relationship.
There is a need for other researchers to expand this study to address the important parameters like the role of health supply chain management in health quality deliveries.
