Public health challenges facing the supply chain management of medical commodities in Africa: A case study of antimalarial commodity supply chain management in Cameroon

Abstract

Malaria is a major public health concern in Africa. The lack of human resources and capacity at national levels is one of the main obstacles to the development, implementation and sustainability of malaria control. The management of logistics systems remains a significant weakness. Cameroon is one of the countries on the continent most affected by the disease. However, literature is scarce in the Cameroonian context, concerning the management of the product used for preventing and treating the disease throughout the distribution channel. This study aims to explore the measures that can be implemented to enhance the supply chain management for antimalarial commodities within Cameroon. The objectives encompass assessing supply chain challenges within the African public health setting, analysing identified issues in the malaria treatment and prevention supply chain in Africa, and proposing actionable measures to improve the supply chain management of antimalarial products in the surveyed country. A comprehensive investigation was carried out, gathering information from several stakeholders involved in the Cameroonian healthcare supply chain sector. The methodology consisted of a combination of semi- and unstructured interviews to identify the current practices, challenges and potential solutions. The interviews covered eight topics: procurement and sourcing, inventory management, distribution networks, supply chain technology, cold chain management, quality assurance and government regulations, stakeholders’ collaborations and emergency preparedness and response. The results of the survey demonstrated the importance of reliable data in procurement, real-time inventory tracking, improvements in distribution logistics, the integration of technology to ensure transparency, enhanced cold chain infrastructure and robust quality control systems. Furthermore, the findings revealed the lack of trust in local sourcing, hazardous inventory handling, disparities in distribution across regions, constraints of some communication platforms, and difficulties posed by extreme temperatures. Strengthening the supply chain management of antimalarial products requires consideration of cooperative initiatives between the public and private sectors. Fostering trust in local goods, promoting fair competition, and adjusting emergency protocols are highly recommended. Yet these goals should not be achieved without considering the equitable distribution of funds, which is an essential element of effective governance.