MSH, through an Innovation Fund grant of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, and with contribution from the USAID-funded Uganda Health Supply Chain Program, supported Uganda to implement integration of oxytocin, the first-line medicine to prevent and treat excessive bleeding postpartum hemorrhage after delivery, into the vaccine cold chain for improved storage. The objective of the project was to facilitate the integration of oxytocin into the Expanded Program for Immunisation (EPI) cold chain by conducting an options analysis, securing political commitment, and supporting phased implementation in Uganda.

MSH navigated complex stakeholder engagement and applied a policy options analysis framework to determine where along the supply chain integration is needed, and to support the Ministry of Health in implementation. MSH facilitated the formation of an integration task force, comprising key stakeholders from the MoH and partners involved in supply chain, immunization programming, and maternal and child health, which led the development of guidelines, procedures and other tools to standardize how oxytocin was managed in the vaccine cold chain in districts and health centers, minimizing the risk to the integrity of the vaccine cold chain. The Ministry of Health in Uganda has committed to rolling out the integration of oxytocin into the vaccine cold chain nationwide.