ASSESSMENT OF LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT IN GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

Authors

  • john frimpong manso Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
  • Jonathan Annan Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana
  • sowornu sovoe Anane KNUST School of Business

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18533/ijbsr.v3i8.267

Keywords:

Regional Medical Stores, Health commodities, logistics system, finance, supervision, evaluation and evenly distribution.

Abstract

Ghana Public Health Sector runs a three-tier system of managing health commodities. Suppliers, the Central Medical Store, The Regional Medical Store, Service Delivery Points and the transportation system form the supply chain.  Ghana Health Service logistics system is centralized and the health care delivery system is decentralized. Logistics management in the health system is crucial. This is because there are instances where medicines and health commodities are not available at the Central Medical Stores and the Regional Medical Stores. Consequently, there is no commodity security at the service delivery points. Upon this backdrop the study seeks to assess the logistics management system in order to bring efficiency in the system. The study adopts a multi-case study approach to assess the practices of logistics management, the causes of inadequacy of logistics and the strengths and weaknesses in Ghana Health Service logistics system.  Two categories of participants that is, the key players of health logistics management and end-users were involved in the study.  Four variables; finance for procurement of health commodities, evenly distribution of health commodities, effective supervision and constant monitoring and evaluation were found crucial in effective and efficient logistics management. Moreover, it was found that poor procurement planning and budgeting, lack of financial resources for procurement, poor quantification and forecasting, delay in procurement process and order processing, and delay in receiving insurance claims are some of the causes of inadequacy of logistics in the health systems. It is recommended that Ghana Health Service logistics or supply system must receive constant monitoring and evaluation. Further, Ghana Health Service must ensure that there is effective top-down supervision in the system to bring up efficiency. Again, Ghana Health Service and Ministry of Health must ensure enough funds are secured from the government to procure health commodities.

Author Biographies

  • john frimpong manso, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

    Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences, KNUST School of Business

    Lecturer

  • Jonathan Annan, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana

    Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences, KNUST School of Business

    Lecturer

  • sowornu sovoe Anane, KNUST School of Business
    Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences

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Published

2013-08-31

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 8 (2013): August

Section

Article

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