Assessment On Immunization Supply Chain Management Practice In Pharmaceutical Fund And Supply Agency (PFSA)
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Date
2018-09-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Immunization helps save life, protect serious illness and improve quality of life. It is recognized as one of the most cost effective public health interventions available around the globe. However, the success of this program is heavily dependent on strong immunization supply chain practice. Proper immunization supply chain management ensures availing potent and live vaccines to the community. Ethiopia launched the EPI program since in 1980`s with six traditional antigens. FMOH was also responsible to manage the iSC activities until 2014. Following the national EVM assessment in 2013, FMOH decided to transfer the responsibility of managing iSC to PFSA, aiming to address the existing supply chain bottlenecks identified from the assessment. This research is conducted to assess the immunization supply chain practice following the vaccine transition to PFSA. A descriptive approach was employed to assess the immunization supply chain management, highlighting the storage, handling and distribution components at central PFSA and selected hubs. Census method was used to collect data from key respondents. Interview guides and observation check list was used to collect data for quantitative and qualitative analysis. It was found that; the available storage space at central level is inadequate accompanied with limited maintenance protocol. Temperature monitoring practice during transportation of vaccines was also unsatisfactory. Bundling practice was found to be good, but the knowledge of staffs on basic immunization supply chain attributes is partial. In conclusion, the immunization supply chain practice in PFSA is not well established as per the GAVI`s standard for immunization supply chain fundamentals. Therefore, FMOH and involved stake holders need to capacitate the agency to reach the intended level of quality service.
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Keywords
Immunization, immunization supply chain management, vaccine