Improving contraceptive security in the DRC with the Informed Push Model
The long-awaited manuscript “Adapting the informed push model to the last mile of the contraceptive supply chain in South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo” was published in PLOS Global Public Health: https://lnkd.in/ePrzXaGG
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), contraceptive security is one of the largest barriers to improving access to family planning. Given the large land area of the DRC and poor national infrastructure, building a strong supply chain is challenging. However, the pilot study results presented in this article indicate it is feasible to adapt the Informed Push Model to a new location with complex geographical, political and socioeconomical influences.
In short, the Community-Informed Push Model (C-IPM) consisted of three changes in the supply chain:
1. organization of more efficient transportation routes,
2. in-depth involvement of the community in supply chain management,
3. bundling of contraceptives with other essential medications for efficient delivery.
Implementing a supply chain intervention like the C-IPM may be particularly beneficial for strengthening contraceptive security in contexts where health facilities are overburdened and staff do not have time to submit stock reports to higher management, especially in hard-to-reach areas with limited internet connection that require the use of physical documents. Further, the “Comité Axes de Distribution” CAD model, designed based on lessons learned from the C-IPM pilot study, may further alleviate the burden on health facility staff in large rural areas who spend considerable travel time picking up the contraceptive products themselves.
In sum, the flexibility of the IPM to adapt to varied contexts make this an encouraging health system strengthening intervention to improve contraceptive security through the last mile of the supply chain to ensure all women have reliable access to contraception.
We thank the authors Kate (Schulze) LaNasa, Michel YALAZA, Hitayezu Felix and i+solutions Frank Roijmans for their hard work in getting the study results published.
Acknowledgements go to:
Jane Bertrand (Tulane University), Freddy SALUMU, Gilbert Mungungu Witakenge, Eugène Barhukenge, Justin Rukika, Dr Zozo Musafiri, Dr Socrate cuma byamungu, Dr Arsene Binanga (Tulane University), Dotian Wanogo(UNFPA), Seydou Nsundi - Ndiay (Cordaid DRC), Franck BIAYI KANUMPEPA (PNAM/ MoH DRC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) DRC Office