By NattyStelle Kokolo on September 3rd, 2024

Hello, September,

Last month, we had the privilege of having our community experts launch a moderated discussion around Localization and Regionalization in the Supply Chain. We also had a spontaneous call focusing on the Mpox Public Health Emergency. 

This month, we will continue to delve into localization and regionalization as well as keep an eye on the development of Mpox to ensure that we remain connected and informed to ensure health supply chains are responsive and resilient to this changing context.

In a future communication, we will introduce The Ethiopia Initiative – keep following for an update!

As we continue the journey, we would like to thank everyone for staying engaged, sharing your expertise, and supporting each other to grow as professionals. 

I look forward to our ongoing conversations this month and beyond.

 

Warm regards,

Natty S. KOKOLO

IAPHL Community Manager

 

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Coming Soon; STEP 2.0 COMMUNITY

The People that Deliver, sponsors, and other partnering organizations have been doing a fantastic job delivering executive leadership learning experience for leaders in the health supply chain. Our partnership has produced a unique opportunity of hosting a sub-community for the STEP 2.0 alumni. (More to come in the month.)

 

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RESOURCES 

Webinar on “Know QUAMED Learning” | August 22, 2024

In this webinar, we introduced QUAMED Learning (QL), the premier free-access online platform for learning and discussing medical product quality assurance. Supported by USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs, QL offers self-paced interactive eLearning courses, a helpdesk, and a global community of professionals. It includes free courses on the WHO Good Storage and Distribution Practices guidelines and Model Quality Assurance System for Procurement Agencies guidelines.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lJExJjyE6k 

 

10 Tips for Maximizing Cost-Savings in Procurement: Look Beyond Price Negotiation

Procurement is a crucial aspect of any business that requires cost-saving strategies without compromising quality or efficiency. While negotiating prices is a vital part of procurement, various other cost-saving initiatives are worth considering. Here are ten tips to help you optimize procurement processes and reduce costs!

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/efratadenny_10-tips-for-maximizing-cost-savings-in-procurement-activity-7148332795549954049-jAM9?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 

 

Regionalization and Localization: KFC Social Media Crisis in Kenya.

Back in 2022, the fast food restaurant chain – KFC Chicken – got into a social media crisis in Kenya when it posted that it had run out of chips due to supply chain challenges. Apparently, at the time, the chips were usually imported from Egypt. 

An interesting case study from the supply chain perspective as it raises a lot of questions. 

In any case, the story demonstrates that supply chain difficulties might necessitate innovative, local sourcing options as a close alternative(s).

Link:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kfc-kenyas-social-media-chips-crisis-leads-business-moses-kemibaro-x3bbf/?trackingId=ri2hykyDtaH9Qd27%2BnrWMQ%3D%3D 

 

Framework to Professionalize Health Supply Chain Management.

Many countries have an insufficient supply of adequately skilled supply chain workers to manage health commodities, and no global standards in education or experience exist for the supply chain management (SCM) workforce managing health products. We present a professionalization framework for the health SCM workforce that provides a systematic process that countries can use to standardize and elevate the health SCM profession.

Link: https://www.ghspjournal.org/content/early/2024/08/20/GHSP-D-23-00119 

 

Welcome to FamPlan

FamPlan projects family planning requirements needed to reach national goals for addressing unmet needs or achieving desired fertility. It can be used to set realistic goals, plan for the service expansion required to meet program objectives and evaluate alternative methods of achieving goals. The program uses assumptions about the proximate determinants of fertility and the characteristics of the family planning program (method mix, source mix, discontinuation rates) to calculate the cost and the number of users and acceptors of different methods by source.

Link:https://famplan.spectrumweb.org/ 

 

PtD strategy and work plan: 2024-29

PtD has just published its strategy and work plan for the period 2024-29. Entitled Capitalising on momentum, the document defines the PtD coalition’s strategic enablers and objectives for the next five years.

 

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JOBS & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Mpox: Epidemiology, preparedness, and response for African outbreak contexts

This course offers public health officers and health workers in-depth information to understand the epidemiology, modes of transmission, clinical presentation, diagnostics, and treatment of mpox, as well as the strategies needed for effective prevention and outbreak investigation and response.

Link: https://openwho.org/courses/monkeypox-intermediate?tracking_user=3b6yn6hR2mBuW3FdzhMiNj&tracking_type=news&tracking_id=2Xx4k7cnrq90YzNNqw7Ca 

 

MSc Program in Global Health Procurement and Supply Chain 

This comprehensive program is tailored for professionals eager to enhance their skills and make a substantial impact on global health outcomes. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or new to the field, our MSc course equips you with the knowledge and tools needed to excel in this critical area.

For English – https://www.empowerschoolofhealth.org/course/master-en

For French –  https://www.empowerschoolofhealth.org/course/master-fr

 

International Supply Chain Programs on Partial Scholarship – CMCOMMS

Programs :

  • Certified Supply Chain Leader
  • Mini Master Class
  • CMCOMMS Medical Logistics Practitioner Training

For further clarification please get in touch with us or through your Country Chapter leaders or contact, Wilson Chandomba- CMCOMMS and VCare Academy, tel. +263774836222, Email: wilchands@gmail.com 

WHO: Call for public comments: Digital transformation handbook for health product catalog.

WHO is seeking feedback on the draft handbook from experts in the public health supply chain and digitalization community, funders, implementers, academia, industry and product developers, and others involved in the public health supply chain system efforts. Comments made during this public consultation will contribute to the finalization of the handbook.

Share your comments: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/call-for-public-comments–digital-transformation-handbook-for-health-product-catalogue 

 

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COMMUNITY WEBINARS

Strengthening medical waste management systems to reduce the environmental impact of humanitarian operations

Please join this 90-minute webinar, hosted by the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition’s (RHSC) Systems Strengthening Working Group (SSWG).

Focusing on humanitarian livelihood programs and field hospital deployments, the Waste in Humanitarian Operations, Reduction and Minimization (WORM) consortium of 16 organizations funded by the European Union is keen to reduce the environmental impact of humanitarian operations by designing guidelines and supporting actions for circular economy. As part of Pamela Steele Associates’ (PSA) contribution to the WORM’s primary objective, PSA conducted a study on medical waste management in humanitarian settings with an emphasis on field hospitals. They also evaluated existing disposal methods in regular hospitals to understand current waste management practices.  

Register Now: https://rhsupplies-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsceyqqDIpGtJmYkUGqy3AmPmokuEvdDpX#/registration 

 

Bridging Gaps: Contraceptive Method Choice and Supply Chain Management

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 / 3-4:30PM EAT / 8-9:30AM EST

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming online gathering with the Contraceptive & Method Choice Community of Practice (CoP) on Bridging Gaps: Contraceptive Method Choice and Supply Chain Management, led by inSupply Health.

Register Now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PeHVx_OORvSHBTHqkIFuxg#/registration 

 

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CONFERENCES AND SUMMITS

Conference season is upon us! We are glad to share a few from our partners. Take advantage of these gatherings to connect, learn alongside colleagues, and share your experiences.

Botswana Supply Chain Summit 2024

Theme: A resilient future by transforming Supply Chain for the AfCFTA agenda

 

Global Health Supply Chain Summit 2024

Theme: Value Chain Innovations For Universal Health Coverage

 

4th International Conference on Public Health in Africa, CPHIA 2024

Theme: Moving towards self-reliance to achieve universal health coverage and health security in Africa.

  • 26–29 November 2024 • Rabat, Morocco
  • Abstract Submission –Here
  • Side Event Registration –Here
  • Exhibition Registration –Here

 

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Secretariat Office Hours – scheduled every Thursday!

This is an informal forum designed for you to ask questions, seek information, provide feedback, or simply connect with the IAPHL secretariat team. Connect with us every Thursday at 12 PM GMT / 1 PM WAT/ 8 AM EST for one hour.

We look forward to chatting with you.

 

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WHATSAPP / TELEGRAM CHAPTER COUNTRY GROUP

Please find the list of IAPHL Countries’ WhatsApp or Telegram groups

Members:  If your country is not listed please fill out the form. We will contact you as soon as the group is created.

Chapter Leaders: If your country is not listed please contact info@iaphl.org to share the link to be.

Sept 2024 Community Highlights: Welcome September!