Supply Chain Leaders Unite in Nairobi to Overcome Barriers in Global Health Supply Chains

Supply Chain Leaders Unite in Nairobi to Overcome Barriers in Global Health Supply Chains

Supply chain leaders from 24 countries recently gathered in Nairobi to tackle the challenges facing Global Health Supply Chains. The Supply Chain Leaders Forum (SCLF) serves as a platform for country supply chain leaders and donor representatives to facilitate a transition toward a country-led approach, emphasizing knowledge exchange, alignment, and advocacy.

Over three days, 40 leaders from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) engaged in discussions covering critical topics such as client-centricity, stewardship, innovation, and sustainability.

Ed Llewellyn from the Global Financing Facility, a partnership advancing the health and rights of women, children and adolescents, said: "The SCLF seeks to address the pressing challenges in supply chains that provide access to healthcare. Our discussions brought to life the opportunities we have to transition to more sustainable, efficient and client-centric supply chains. By prioritizing the necessary investments, we can create systems that not only meet the needs of today but also safeguard the health of future generations."

Enabling public-private sector innovation

The supply chain leaders also engaged with health supply chain innovators in a collaborative meeting that united participants from two events: the Supply Chain Leaders Forum and SPARK. This unique gathering connected ten leading innovators with country decision-makers, fostering dialogue and partnership.

Ann Allen from the Gates Foundation explained, "Innovation is at the heart of transforming health supply chains. We must leverage new technologies and creative solutions to enhance efficiency and ensure that quality health products are accessible to those who seek them."

The meeting provided a valuable platform for country leaders to discuss the challenges they face in accessing health commodities with innovators who are already implementing innovative supply chain solutions across the African continent.

Bringing together health supply chain leaders and innovators created an opportunity to explore how these innovations could further advance national goals, particularly in client centricity, stewardship, and resilience.

Mara Hansen Staples, Founder at Salient Advisory, emphasized the significance of having country representatives collaborate with private sector companies: "Many innovative solutions are already improving availability and enhancing access in the private sector and in partnership with pioneering governments. Expanding awareness of high-impact innovations, strengthening public-private dialogues and building stronger partnerships is key to crafting supply chains that are fit-for-purpose for the future."

Making meaningful change

The delegation had the opportunity to delve into some of the most pressing issues affecting key outcomes for Global Health Supply Chains, focusing on Sustainability, Client Centricity, and Stewardship.

The forum examined the core principles of client-centric supply chains, starting to define them through established frameworks. Discussions culminated in strategies to overcome barriers and develop pathways for scaling client-centric supply chains at the country level, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, reducing waste, and improving health outcomes.

Participants also addressed the importance of Stewardship, emphasizing the robust processes and accountability necessary in supply chain design to support sustainable and efficient operations. The conversation then shifted to the topic of Sustainability.

Seife Demissie, Director of Pharmaceutical Supply and Service at the City Administration of Addis Ababa Health Bureau in Ethiopia, stated, "Workforce development is at the top of our agenda. We’re focused on ensuring that our supply chain management workforce possesses the necessary skills, motivation, and working conditions to provide access to health products."

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), public health systems and private sector companies often struggle to align their efforts. As the event came to a close, the delegates agreed that co-creation—where governments and companies come together to analyze challenges and develop solutions—would be essential for fostering genuine collaboration and meaningful change.

Marasi Mwencha from The Global Fund underscored the importance of this collaboration: "Creating efficient and sustainable health supply chains is crucial for our nations’ health security. Through this conference, we aim to foster dialogue that leads to actionable strategies and policies that benefit communities."