Access to primary health care remains a challenge for many under-reached communities in Africa. About 615 million people are outside the reach of essential health services, including health products such as medicines, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, protective equipment and assistive devices. Among the most underreached are millions of zero-dose and under-immunized children, who represent not just a missed opportunity for individual health and well-being but a broader failure to protect public health. Ensuring that health products are delivered safely depends on effective and efficient supply chain systems. This requires supply chain systems that can deliver products and services responsively, adapt to changes in demand, absorb shocks and stresses and routinely factor in the needs and preferences of under-reached communities.
A high-performing, integrated supply chain ensures that essential health products reach underreached communities and improves health care access. The new VillageReach advocacy paper "The Case for an Integrated Supply Chain Approach" (https://www.villagereach.org/resource/enhancing-health-care-access-the-case-for-an-integrated-supply-chain-approach/) calls on governments, donors, and the private sector to adopt and support an enabling environment through cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, and feedback mechanisms. Please read the paper and help us share this asset on social media. https://socialpresskit.com/villagereach#the-case-for-an-integrated-supply-chain-approach.