The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has been lauded for its groundbreaking approach to tackling medical stockouts in healthcare facilities across Kenya. By harnessing the power of technology through the Integrated Logistics Information Systems (iLMIS), KEMSA has achieved remarkable success, reducing stockouts in health facilities from 15% to an impressive 3%.
iLMIS is a transformative system that optimizes the entire healthcare supply chain, encompassing procurement, inventory management, and distribution. Developed with the support of key partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), and the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health (DRMH-MoH), iLMIS has revolutionized the availability and delivery of essential medical commodities across the country.
A Revolution in Health Supply Chains
Speaking on the impact of iLMIS, Dennis Ndwiga, Senior Programs Officer at KEMSA, emphasized how the system has revolutionized supply chain management, particularly in family planning. “This accomplishment is a testament to the effectiveness of data-driven decision-making and technology. iLMIS empowers us to anticipate demand, optimize inventory levels, and ensure timely delivery of essential medical supplies to healthcare facilities nationwide,” Ndwiga stated.
The system comprises three critical components that ensure efficiency and accuracy:
- Commodity Early Warning System: This feature identifies understocked and overstocked facilities, enabling optimal redistribution of medical commodities.
- AI-Driven Allocation System: Using ARIMA principles to analyze consumption patterns, this tool forecasts supply needs with precision.
- Electronic Proof of Delivery (e-POD): A mobile application ensures timely and error-free delivery of commodities, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Enhancing Global Recognition
The success of iLMIS has not gone unnoticed globally. The system recently received accolades at the Global Health Supply Chain Summit, underscoring Kenya’s leadership in leveraging technology for universal health coverage. “This award is not just for KEMSA; it is for the people of Kenya, whose health and well-being drive our innovations,” said Ndwiga.
Countries worldwide have begun benchmarking with Kenya, seeking to adopt iLMIS as a model for improving their healthcare supply chains.
Robust Cybersecurity and Trust
A key element of iLMIS’s success is its robust cybersecurity framework. The system is designed to be secure, reliable, and transparent, fostering trust among all stakeholders, including development partners.
“We are also adding an extra layer of security through the digital superhighway to guarantee that the data available for the supply chain is reliable and accessible at any given time for all stakeholders,” Ndwiga explained.
Expanding Reach Amid Challenges
Since its rollout in 2022, iLMIS has been adopted by 8,500 of Kenya’s 9,500 healthcare facilities, covering commodity management, ordering, and receiving. This remarkable uptake has been bolstered by on-site training for County and Sub-County Health Management Teams, which reported significant improvements in order accuracy and user-friendliness.
However, challenges remain. Funding constraints hinder the system’s scalability to lower-level healthcare facilities. Ndwiga remains optimistic, noting that with continued government and partner support, KEMSA aims to expand the system’s reach, achieving seamless end-to-end visibility of medical commodities.
Tangible Impacts
The visibility provided by iLMIS has facilitated the redistribution of commodities, minimizing expiries, stockouts, and waste. By ensuring deliveries to the correct facilities, the system has reduced transportation inefficiencies and turnaround times, enhancing overall supply chain performance.
Teams have been able to assess terrain challenges, review Order Turnaround Times (OTAT), and analyze distribution metrics, significantly reducing transportation and motion waste.
A Blueprint for Healthcare Supply Chains
KEMSA’s implementation of iLMIS demonstrates the transformative power of technology in addressing systemic challenges in healthcare. With its focus on data-driven decision-making and end-to-end visibility, the system stands as a blueprint for countries seeking to strengthen their healthcare supply chains.
As Ndwiga aptly stated, “With technology, innovation, and collaboration, we are not just improving healthcare delivery but ensuring a healthier future for all Kenyans.”
