Use of Google Group Applications Technology to Enhance Commodity Security in Health Facilities: Experiences from Eastern and Central

Kenya
by: David Wasambla1, Moses Kitheka1, Stephen Mutwiwa1, Pascal Mutie2, Danson Macharia1, Mark Kabue1, Mildred Mudany1 and Isaac Malonza1 affiliate: 1Jhpiego, an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University/Kenya, 2ICAP/Kenya

n Country-owned, Government-led in

funded project

Stock-outs noted and Google Groups solution proposed

Background: APHIAPLUS KAMILI Project n APHIAPLUS KAMILI is a 5-year, USAIDEastern and Central Regions, Kenya

Description: A 4-Step Process

User group email defined Closed user group email developed Invitations by email Group Administrator Acceptance and use by closed user group members

How Innovation Has Improved Practice (cont.)

BEFORE
National Commodity Agency

AFTER
National Commodity Agency

n Supports Integrated Health Services:

n HIV Services (ART, HTC, PMTCT) n Social Determinants of Health n Community Health Strategy and
Prevention

n Reproductive Health/Family Planning/

Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health

District Pharmacist

District Pharmacist

District Pharmacist

n Monitoring and Evaluation

n Has 9 consortium implementing

partners, led by Jhpiego

Description n Google Groups Innovation involves use

n Beginning in September 2011, the MOH
of closed user group mailing system. pharmacist was supported to initiate a closed Google Groups email connecting other district pharmacists. based innovation is also accessible via Internet-enabled mobile phones.

Health Facility

Health Facility

Health Facility

Health Facility

n The simple yet interactive Internet-

Other Application of the Innovation n Dissemination of updates, e.g., nonn Case management support n District Health Information System
(DHIS) peer support to improve reporting standard ART regimen updates

n One focal person maintains the email

group dubbed: Arv-commodities@googlegroups.com.

MERU NYANARUA
THARAKA - NITHI NYERI EMBU MURANGA KIAMBU MACHAKOS MAKUENI KITUI

n The innovation was adopted by health

records and information officers (HRIOs).

n Currently, the network consists of more n To date, over 600 messages have been n Information shared includes
exchanged 75% from pharmacists. redistribution of commodities, knowledge exchange and general updates. than 150 pharmacists and 50 HRIOs, covering over 1,800 health facilities.

Lessons Learned n The pharmacists expressed enthusiasm

and the value of the innovation:

Google Groups has just made it easy for us to communicate and share resources its convenient and no investments are necessary.
District Pharmacist

Background n Commodity insecurity poses a major

n The project and the Ministry of Health

challenge in health programming and hampers quality health service delivery in Kenya. (MOH) invest in mentorship as a longterm strategy, but in the short term provide communication avenues for redistribution to minimize commodity spoilage and expiry.

n Drugs redistributed range from ARVs to

general antibiotics, antifungals, mental health drugs and multivitamins.

Pharmacists can now share not only drug redistribution, but also other information like devolution and technical updates.
County Pharmacist

n Key barriers to commodity security:

n Poor communication networks
between the facilities

n Lack of technical skills in quantification

and forecasting of commodities

n Key success factors:

n MOH ownership (guaranteed buy-in) n This simple, inexpensive and easily n Effective feedback

accessible technology has improved commodity security in the short term

How Innovation Has Improved Practice

Main Triggers to the Innovation n Lack of a communication forum for

pharmacists to share commodity status at facility level, leading to: n Commodity stock-outs in some n Commodity excesses in other facilities n Short-expiry drugs in excess at some
facilities and stock-out of the same in other facilities facilities

n Inadequate commodity management

skills

1. Reduced chance of drugs expiring in facility and district stores 2. An effective communication platform for facilities 3. Short-term solution: Addressed acute shortages 4. Long-term solution: Led to targeted on-the-job training 5. Innovation has been adopted by other District Managers: Laboratory Technologists, Health Records and Information Officers, Reproductive Health Coordinators 6. Regional spread beyond project coverage and incorporated National Commodity Management Agencies

Next Steps n Integrating use of simple technology

n Providing the opportunity to tailor local

with effective commodity management systems at facility, regional and country levels. innovations for local solutions key to a participatory, problem-solving approach.

This poster is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under award number AID-623-A-11-00008. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.