NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 12 \u2013 Health facilities across Kenya are experiencing a significant transformation in managing essential medical commodities, thanks to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)\u2019s Integrated Logistics Management Information System (i-LMIS). <\/p>\n
This award-winning system, developed with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ensures a consistent supply of critical health products, including family planning commodities. <\/p>\n
Previously prone to stockouts, such shortages had hampered health interventions, particularly family planning services in health facilities nationwide.<\/p>\n
Launched in 2022, i-LMIS integrates KEMSA\u2019s headquarters, regional depots and health facilities at county and sub-county levels. Leveraging artificial intelligence for demand forecasting, the system optimizes stocking, eliminating overstocking or critical shortages of medical supplies.<\/p>\n
KEMSA\u2019s i-LMIS has earned global recognition, winning an award at the Global Health Supply Chain Summit and being showcased at the 20th Reproductive Health Supply Coalition General Membership meeting in Accra, Ghana. The system was praised as a standard-setting innovation for addressing procurement and logistics challenges.<\/p>\n
The solution has proven effective in managing key components of the procurement and logistics system. It includes commodity early warning and alert system which prevents stockouts by notifying stakeholders when supplies run low. The allocation system uses artificial intelligence to calculate facility-specific needs, minimizing wastage and overstocking. The electronic proof of delivery system further provides real-time notifications once supplies are received at health facilities, ensuring transparency and enhancing accountability.<\/p>\n
Dennis Ndwiga, KEMSA\u2019s Senior Programs Officer, told us how the system has revolutionized the health sector. \u201cToday, KEMSA and stakeholders can track commodities in real time. It ensures medical supplies reach the last mile, benefitting health facilities and patients alike,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
![<\/a>Dennis Ndwiga, KEMSA\u2019s Senior Programs Officer, speaks to journalists on the use of i-LMIS system in stock management. \/MOSES MUOKI.<\/p>\nNdwiga explained that the system\u2019s ability to analyze consumption patterns prevents stockouts and wastage. \u201cIt helps us release the right quantities of supplies based on county and facility needs. This proactive approach ensures continuous service delivery,\u201d he added.<\/p>\nThe system supports essential medicines and medical supplies (EMMS), family planning programs, and other Ministry of Health initiatives. Currently implemented in 8,500 of Kenya\u2019s 9,500 health facilities, it has enhanced transparency, accountability, and service delivery across the country.<\/p>\nImproved Health Services<\/h4>\nDr Francis Kwama, Health CEC, at Kwale County said the invention of the iLMIS is the best thing that happened in the management of medical commodities because drugs hardly run out in hospitals.<\/p>\n\u201cWe appreciate the support we get from KEMSA because they introduced a new system that is called iLMIS that has really improved our stock management of medical commodities,\u201d he told us at the hospital this week.<\/p>\nHealthcare workers have noted the system\u2019s impact. Dr. Fatiya Wangara, in charge of Matuga Sub-County Hospital in Kwale, said, \u201cI oversee 47 facilities, and stock management used to be a challenge. i-LMIS has simplified ordering and provided real-time data on consumption patterns. It gives early warnings when supplies run low, allowing us to act before a crisis arises.\u201d<\/p>\nIn Kilifi, Dr. Terry Kamau, the Chief Pharmacist at Mtwapa Sub-County Hospital, called the system a \u201cgame changer.\u201d She said, \u201cUnlike manual processes, i-LMIS gives real-time data and early warning signals. It ensures we always have the supplies we need. Patients no longer have to endure delays or shortages.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>A Pharmaceutical store at the Mtwapa Sub-County Hospital that was established launched in September 2023 with financial support from KEMSA.<\/p>\nA Patient Perspective<\/h4>\nFor patients, the system\u2019s benefits are clear. Linet Mwakughu, a mother of five from Kilifi, shared, \u201cBefore, I often left clinics empty-handed because the medicines weren\u2019t available. Now, I get what I need for my family without hassle.\u201d<\/p>\nSimilarly, Gilbert Ndolo, 55, from Diani, described how reliable the system has become. \u201cIn the past, I had to visit multiple facilities to find medication. That\u2019s no longer the case. The system ensures everything is in place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nOperational Efficiency<\/h4>\nKEMSA\u2019s efforts to train County and Sub-County Health Management Teams have further boosted the system\u2019s efficiency. According to Ndwiga, training has improved order accuracy, reduced turnaround times, and enabled effective redistribution of supplies to avoid stockouts.<\/p>\n\u201cThe visibility provided by i-LMIS allows us to monitor commodity movement closely and make timely decisions,\u201d he said. The system also ensures deliveries are on time, in full, and error-free (OTIFEF), reducing waste and enhancing reliability.<\/p>\nSupporting Universal Health Coverage<\/h4>\nKEMSA plans to expand the system to all health facilities nationwide. With continued support from partners like UNFPA, i-LMIS is set to become the backbone of Kenya\u2019s healthcare supply chain, aligning with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.<\/p>\nDr. Wangara expressed optimism about the system\u2019s long-term impact. \u201cWe\u2019ve moved from reacting to shortages to preventing them altogether. This system is a model for how healthcare should operate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\nBy modernizing supply chain management, KEMSA\u2019s i-LMIS ensures that Kenyans, from urban centers to remote areas, have uninterrupted access to essential medical commodities.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 12 \u2013 Health facilities across Kenya are experiencing a significant transformation in managing essential medical commodities, thanks to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)\u2019s Integrated Logistics Management Information System (i-LMIS). This award-winning system, developed with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ensures a consistent supply of critical health products, including […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-105013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105013"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105013\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/files\/2024\/12\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-12-at-01.08.18.jpeg\"){kind=link}
![<\/a>A Pharmaceutical store at the Mtwapa Sub-County Hospital that was established launched in September 2023 with financial support from KEMSA.<\/p>\nA Patient Perspective<\/h4>\nFor patients, the system\u2019s benefits are clear. Linet Mwakughu, a mother of five from Kilifi, shared, \u201cBefore, I often left clinics empty-handed because the medicines weren\u2019t available. Now, I get what I need for my family without hassle.\u201d<\/p>\nSimilarly, Gilbert Ndolo, 55, from Diani, described how reliable the system has become. \u201cIn the past, I had to visit multiple facilities to find medication. That\u2019s no longer the case. The system ensures everything is in place,\u201d he said.<\/p>\nOperational Efficiency<\/h4>\nKEMSA\u2019s efforts to train County and Sub-County Health Management Teams have further boosted the system\u2019s efficiency. According to Ndwiga, training has improved order accuracy, reduced turnaround times, and enabled effective redistribution of supplies to avoid stockouts.<\/p>\n\u201cThe visibility provided by i-LMIS allows us to monitor commodity movement closely and make timely decisions,\u201d he said. The system also ensures deliveries are on time, in full, and error-free (OTIFEF), reducing waste and enhancing reliability.<\/p>\nSupporting Universal Health Coverage<\/h4>\nKEMSA plans to expand the system to all health facilities nationwide. With continued support from partners like UNFPA, i-LMIS is set to become the backbone of Kenya\u2019s healthcare supply chain, aligning with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.<\/p>\nDr. Wangara expressed optimism about the system\u2019s long-term impact. \u201cWe\u2019ve moved from reacting to shortages to preventing them altogether. This system is a model for how healthcare should operate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\nBy modernizing supply chain management, KEMSA\u2019s i-LMIS ensures that Kenyans, from urban centers to remote areas, have uninterrupted access to essential medical commodities.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"NAIROBI, Kenya Dec 12 \u2013 Health facilities across Kenya are experiencing a significant transformation in managing essential medical commodities, thanks to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)\u2019s Integrated Logistics Management Information System (i-LMIS). This award-winning system, developed with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ensures a consistent supply of critical health products, including […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-105013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105013","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105013"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105013\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105013"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105013"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105013"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/www.capitalfm.co.ke\/news\/files\/2024\/12\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-12-12-at-07.53.34.jpeg\"){kind=link}