Strengthening Health Systems Through Better Data: Highlights from the Nakuru County HPTU Review Meeting

Strong health systems are built on strong data. Every decision related to forecasting, procurement, distribution, and service delivery depends on the quality of the information available. Recognising this, stakeholders from across Nakuru County came together for a two-day Health Products and Technologies Unit (HPTU) Review Meeting focused on improving data quality and strengthening supply chain performance.

The review provided an important platform for assessing progress, identifying challenges, and agreeing on priority actions that will enhance the availability of essential medicines and health products across the county.

Improving Data Quality for Better Healthcare Delivery

A key focus of the meeting was improving stock concordance, which refers to the alignment between physical stock levels and reported data within health facilities. Accurate and consistent reporting is critical for ensuring that healthcare managers have reliable information to guide decision-making.

Participants discussed practical approaches to strengthening the quality of commodity data reported by facilities. Reliable data plays a vital role in:

• Forecasting future commodity needs
• Informing procurement decisions
• Supporting redistribution of stock between facilities
• Strengthening accountability and transparency
• Reducing the risk of stock-outs and wastage

Ultimately, accurate data helps ensure that essential medicines and health products are available when and where patients need them.

Building a More Resilient Supply Chain

The review also highlighted several priority areas for strengthening health commodity management systems across Nakuru County. These included:

• Routine data quality improvement initiatives
• Enhanced supportive supervision
• Improved reporting timeliness
• Continuous performance monitoring

Together, these actions contribute to a more responsive and resilient health supply chain capable of meeting the needs of communities while supporting better health outcomes.

Promoting Evidence-Based Decision-Making

One of the most encouraging outcomes of the review was the continued commitment from county leadership to utilise data as a strategic management tool rather than simply a reporting requirement.

Collaborative review meetings such as these create valuable opportunities to identify system bottlenecks, develop locally owned solutions, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making at every level of healthcare delivery. By working together, stakeholders can better understand challenges and implement targeted interventions that drive lasting improvements.

HPA's Continued Support

CIPS HPA is proud to support Nakuru County in advancing health systems strengthening through improved Health Products and Technologies management. Through strong collaboration with county government and other implementing partners, we continue to contribute to efforts that enhance commodity security, improve service delivery, and support better health outcomes for communities across the county.

Building sustainable and resilient health systems requires partnership, innovation, and a commitment to using quality data to inform action. The Nakuru County HPTU Review Meeting demonstrated the value of all three, reinforcing the county's commitment to delivering efficient, responsive, and patient-centred healthcare services.