The Federal Ministry of Health has reiterated its commitment to do all that is within its power to strengthen its supply chain mechanism in order to improve service delivery to end consumers.
The director, Food and Drugs Services in the ministry, Mr. Fubara Chukwu, gave the assurance while speaking at the launch of The Global Fund Malaria funded Strategic Training Executive Programme (STEP) for senior government executives in Abuja.
Chukwu said the launch of the Programme (STEP) would provide an avenue for leaders of ministries of health to change their attitude on how supply chain works.
“It is our hope that the launch STEP initiative will give an opportunity to participants for a change in mindset and how we conduct supply chain business so that we provide services that are delivered in a qualitative manner at a cost that is competitive in the most efficient and effective manner,” he said.
Speaking further, Mr. Chukwu stated that the programme would lead to the provision of better services in the country saying, “As you all interact and discuss on issues that will improve health services in our country, on behalf of the minister of health, I thank all our development partners for the financial and technical support so far.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the chief executive officer of the Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, (ARCN) and Mrs. Azuka Okeke, said that the programme was not aimed at changing the leadership practices but rather to bridge the gaps that evolved due to the new strategic thrust of the ministry.
He said, “The purpose of this programme is not to change the leadership practices of the public health supply chain; it is rather to fill the gaps that develop as a result of the new strategic thrust of the FMOH.”
