From 13–16 March 2026, CIPS HPA conducted a series of supportive health facility visits across Level 4 hospitals in Murang’a County, alongside targeted engagement with the County Health Products and Technologies Unit (HPTU). The activity formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen procurement and supply chain performance, with a specific focus on improving access to essential health commodities.
A key component of the visit was a quarterly review meeting convened with the HPTU to assess health supply chain performance indicators over the preceding three months. This was complemented by a data collection and assessment exercise examining the availability of priority maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) commodities at facility level.
The exercise was led by Daniel Menge, HPA Technical Specialist, and Jane Mwangi, Senior Counties Procurement Specialist, working closely with county and sub‑county health management teams. Through on‑site engagement, the team provided hands‑on support to health facility staff and sub‑county health product managers, helping to identify and address procurement and supply chain gaps affecting service delivery.
This collaborative approach enabled practical problem‑solving while strengthening local capacity in procurement planning, inventory management, and commodity monitoring.
The assessment highlighted several persistent supply chain challenges, including:
Findings were shared immediately with sub‑county health teams, prompting swift corrective actions. These included the redistribution of near‑expiry medicines across facilities and the identification of priority issues for escalation to county leadership to support longer‑term resolution.
The review also examined how telemedicine‑supported distribution channels are interacting with the mainstream supply system. Discussions revealed opportunities for stronger integration between these channels to enhance efficiency and improve access to life‑saving commodities, particularly for MNCH services.
Aligned with HPA programme objectives, the engagement reinforced the importance of coordinated action, effective procurement planning, and data‑driven decision‑making. By leveraging existing financing opportunities and prioritising essential MNCH commodities, the county is better positioned to strengthen supply chain resilience and improve health outcomes.
Overall, the exercise underscores how sustained collaboration between national programmes, county leadership, and frontline health teams is essential to ensuring that critical medicines and health technologies reach the patients who need them most—especially mothers and children.