Vision: Greater recognition of supply chain management as a critical strategic function of health systems, and of the need for well-trained, respected, and empowered supply chain managers to carry out that function effectively.  

The Coalition recognizes the importance of an effective and functional supply chain to assure the availability of reproductive and other health supplies. The Coalition has developed this new workstream which responds to the limited functionality of supply chains in developing countries attributable to the lack of professionalization in supply chain management. This lack of professionalization is characterized by limited technical expertise, limited formal educational qualifications for supply chain managers, lack of recognition that technical skills are necessary for good supply chain management, and general disempowerment of supply chain managers within developing country institutions. The status of developing country supply chain managers stands in marked contrast to their status in developed countries, where advanced technical skills and qualifications are deemed critical to effective decision making and success.

Insofar as the challenges of limited professionalization cut across all health programs, the Coalition will proactively engage with donors, technical agencies and other stakeholders throughout the health sector to harmonize approaches for improving the management of all health commodity supply chains.

Expected benefits of this workstream include:

• Greater capacity of public health logisticians
• More aligned and harmonized efforts by donors and technical assistance providers to develop human capacity in public health logistics
• A higher profile for logisticians within their organizations, especially ministries of health, empowering them to advocate for the needs and benefits of a well-functioning logistics system
• Greater recognition of logistics as a critical strategic component of effective health systems
• Better functioning logistics systems

For more information on this workstream, please contact  Kevin M. Pilz, Commodity Security and Logistics Adviser, USAID.