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AS with food, the storage of medical materials is crucial, particularly since medications have a direct impact on the state of one’s health. And so the government has invested significantly in the new Materials Management Unit at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, which will be much more efficient and effective in the storage of drugs. The administration undertook to build the new facility because of the deplorable state of the old bond at Mud Flats, Kingston, which was not air conditioned, was rat ridden and dusty. Such an environment is not appropriate for the storage of drugs since its potency would have been destroyed easily.
The new facility is 26,691 feet of active storage and consists of modern racks and refrigeration applications which cater for products such as vaccines and insulin. Fork-lifts are used to remove items stored on the higher levels of the racks.
The role of the MMU is to accurately forecast the medical and pharmaceutical needs of the nation, procure supplies in a timely manner, and efficiently distribute them to health care institutions, in order to meet the needs of patients.
The facility meets international standards, and is possibly the largest of its kind in the Caribbean.
The new bond, which will be officially commissioned tomorrow, is electronically managed and has all the prerequisites, including controlled temperature and fire response mechanisms such as smoke detectors and sprinklers.
Additionally, there is the correct flow of how goods are taken in, checked for quality and stored, with the underlying principle being minimal storage time as the products will be distributed to the health facilities in a timely manner.
The facility is also manned by a trained workforce who was taught to use the innovative and sophisticated computerised data system.
Although the construction of the bond began in 2009, the negotiations started many years before. USAID and other donor agencies responded to the plea for assistance and mobilised funds.
Donor agencies gave a total of about $375M, coupled with the Government of Guyana’s contribution of $120M. This also included funds from Supply Chain Management Systems (SCMS) based in South Africa, which is among the best in warehouse management of medical supplies.
SCMS is funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID, and is implemented by the Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM), a non-profit entity, comprised of 13 bodies- private sector, non-governmental and faith-based organisations.
With offices in 20 countries and more than 700 dedicated staff globally, SCMS is working to improve the lives of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS through procuring essential medicines and supplies at affordable prices; strengthening and building reliable, securing and sustaining supply chain systems; and fostering coordination of key stakeholders.
The project focuses on improving forecasting (to determine what drugs are really needed), aggregating demand and negotiating lower prices, and bringing the delivery mechanism closer to the point of use through regional warehouses. (GINA)
The new facility is 26,691 feet of active storage and consists of modern racks and refrigeration applications which cater for products such as vaccines and insulin. Fork-lifts are used to remove items stored on the higher levels of the racks.
The role of the MMU is to accurately forecast the medical and pharmaceutical needs of the nation, procure supplies in a timely manner, and efficiently distribute them to health care institutions, in order to meet the needs of patients.
The facility meets international standards, and is possibly the largest of its kind in the Caribbean.
The new bond, which will be officially commissioned tomorrow, is electronically managed and has all the prerequisites, including controlled temperature and fire response mechanisms such as smoke detectors and sprinklers.
Additionally, there is the correct flow of how goods are taken in, checked for quality and stored, with the underlying principle being minimal storage time as the products will be distributed to the health facilities in a timely manner.
The facility is also manned by a trained workforce who was taught to use the innovative and sophisticated computerised data system.
Although the construction of the bond began in 2009, the negotiations started many years before. USAID and other donor agencies responded to the plea for assistance and mobilised funds.
Donor agencies gave a total of about $375M, coupled with the Government of Guyana’s contribution of $120M. This also included funds from Supply Chain Management Systems (SCMS) based in South Africa, which is among the best in warehouse management of medical supplies.
SCMS is funded by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through USAID, and is implemented by the Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM), a non-profit entity, comprised of 13 bodies- private sector, non-governmental and faith-based organisations.
With offices in 20 countries and more than 700 dedicated staff globally, SCMS is working to improve the lives of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS through procuring essential medicines and supplies at affordable prices; strengthening and building reliable, securing and sustaining supply chain systems; and fostering coordination of key stakeholders.
The project focuses on improving forecasting (to determine what drugs are really needed), aggregating demand and negotiating lower prices, and bringing the delivery mechanism closer to the point of use through regional warehouses. (GINA)
