Balochistan making progress by use of ‘supply chains technology’ for financing

Since 2009, USAID is supporting the Government of Pakistan through John Snow Incorporated (JSI) implemented DELIVER project and providing technical and financial assistance in improving essential health commodity supply chains by strengthening logistics management information systems, streamlining warehousing and distribution systems and enhancing forecasting and procurement planning for the Federal and Provincial governments. In this connection a seminar was organized Wednesday by John Snow, Incorporation and DELIVER in the local hotel. It was a collaboration of USAID, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations& Coordination and health and population departments of Government of Balochistan for dissemination of province specific Logistics & Supply Chain policy guidelines and manuals to the Department of Health and Population Welfare Department.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials from health, population and planning departments of the Government of Balochistan including Additional Secretary, Chief Planning Officer, Deputy Secretary, Ms. Monica Villanueva, Mr. Khalid Mehmood from USAID/Pakistan and Dr. Muhammad Tariq, Country Director, JSI/DELIVER project and his team members were present at the occasion.

In order to ensure sustainability of USAID supported Balochistan Logistics Management Information System and contraceptive commodity availability, the Chief Minister Balochistan recently approved Rs. 359 million to meet the contraceptive requirements of 2015 - 2018 period. Similarly, PWD Balochistan financed Rs. 35 million. Responding to challenges relating to human resource capacity building of provincial government in the post devolution scenario especially Balochistan "Essential Medicines Lists" for primary and secondary level healthcare facilities; "Integrated Contraceptive Logistics Manual" and series of training manuals for improving capacity of Balochistan workforce with health and population departments.

The Country Director of JSI/ DELIVER Project, Dr. Muhammad Tariq applauded the leadership support of both Health and Population Welfare Departments of Balochistan for their immense contributions to design, development and implementation of logistics & supply chain interventions in the province of Balochistan.