By Stella Kabruk

A non-governmental organisation, Capacity for Sustainable Development (C4SD), on Wednesday trained media personnel on supply chain systems and effective reporting of public health interventions to strengthen awareness and accountability in the health sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the workshop, organised for media correspondents by the NGO in collaboration with the Correspondents’ Chapel in Kaduna, focused on the “Strengthening Integrated Last Mile Delivery and Supply Visibility (SILMD & SV) Project.”

Speaking during a presentation, Nasiru Muhamad, the Programme Evidence Lead, C4SD, said the media should collaborate with the state to increase awareness that family planning commodities are always available in public health facilities across all the 23 LGAs.

He said all family planning commodities are free, and urged the media to amplify project successes to advocate for scale-up across other states and counter myths and misconceptions about family planning methods.

He also urged the media to provide avenues where the public can ask questions and receive immediate, accurate answers about family planning.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the meeting was aimed at introducing the project, improving understanding of the health supply chain system, and strengthening media engagement in public health interventions.

He said the Strengthening Integrated Last Mile Delivery & Supply Visibility (SILMD & SV) is a pilot project being funded by the Gates Foundation and implemented in two states, Kaduna and Kano.

According to him, the duration of the project is March 2025 to February 2026 (Pilot Phase) and March 2026 to August 2027 (Grant Phase), and it will cover the 23 LGAs of the state.

He added that the project goal is to enhance healthcare supply chains in Kaduna through integrated warehousing, inventory management (WIM), last-mile delivery, and supply visibility (SV), ultimately improving access to essential commodities.

He also said the challenges faced include healthcare supply chains characterised by fragmented delivery systems and poor inventory management at the last mile.

Others included inadequate data management leading to inconsistent reporting and a lack of visibility, creating a disconnect between data and decision-making that affects product availability and ultimately impacts health outcomes for the communities served.

In another presentation, Pharm. Edmund Dambo, the state team lead of the project, said health supply chain management is the coordination of all activities involved in sourcing, procuring, converting, and delivering health products from manufacturers to patients efficiently, reliably, and safely.

“This includes the right product, correct medicines and supplies, the right quantity with no stock-outs or overstocking, the right place delivered to the right facility, and the right time when patients need them most.”

He said the state needed health supply chain management because 50 per cent of essential medicines are unavailable in many LMICs at any given time.

According to him, the key consequences of poor supply chain included preventable deaths due to medicine stock-outs, wasted resources from expired or damaged goods, patient mistrust and reduced service utilisation, increased disease burden, and treatment failure, while one in three health facilities report stock-outs at least once per month.

He added that a strong health supply chain is essential to achieving universal health coverage.

“All six SCM cycle phases (Selection → Use) are interdependent — failure at any stage affects the rest.

“Accurate data collection and reporting by every health worker drive better decisions at all levels.”

He added that cold chain and storage practices directly protect product quality and patient safety.

“Digital tools (LMIS) enhance visibility, reduce waste, and improve forecasting accuracy. Apply First Expiry, First Out (FEFO): dispense soonest-expiring stock first today. Submit accurate consumption reports. Flag every stock-out. Small actions build resilient supply chains.”

In a goodwill message, Chairman of the Kaduna State NUJ Council, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, appreciated the partners and Correspondents’ Chapel for organising the important engagement aimed at improving healthcare delivery systems and strengthening public awareness on critical health interventions in the state.

Alabelewe said that, as journalists, they occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding, promoting accountability, and amplifying developmental initiatives that directly impact the lives of citizens.

He added that the health sector remains one of the most sensitive and vital areas of governance, and projects that seek to improve supply chain visibility and last-mile delivery of health commodities deserve adequate media attention and professional reportage.

“This workshop is therefore timely, as it will further equip media practitioners with the knowledge required to report health and development issues accurately, responsibly, and in ways that support positive outcomes for communities.”

Earlier, in an opening remark, the Chairperson of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, said the SILMD and SV Project is a vital initiative aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the delivery of medicines, vaccines, and other health commodities, especially to underserved communities.

She said journalists have an important role in promoting public awareness and supporting development initiatives through accurate and responsible reporting.

She added that the workshop will strengthen journalists’ understanding of healthcare supply systems and enhance their capacity to report health interventions effectively.

Suka commended the Kaduna State Government and all partners for their commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state. (NAN)