Abstract
A confounding factor for healthcare programmes in African countries is the inability of essential health tools to reach targeted locations and populations, due to poor Logistics Management Information System (LMIS). In a bid to contribute towards addressing these challenges, a pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the tracking ability, reliability and applicability of EASE App, a novel Smart Phone based Application. The App is designed to provide real-time tracking and tracing of commodities as well as curation of data in a cloud based database with restricted access which can be linked with other databases. In this study, NIPRIMAL was labelled with QR codes, and tracked within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, using the smartphone based EASE App. Data collected showed that the “EASE App” tracking had accuracy of 100% for date and time of scan, operators’ codes and product identity; and 92.83±1.69% and 99.83±0.27% accuracy for GPS mapping label for the city and country, respectively. The GPS mapping label for specific streets, roads or districts, gave an accuracy of about 64.28±3.14%. The technology was able to provide real-time data on user unique identity, user location as well as date/time of use, and the feedback report indicated that it was readily deployable and easy to use. The results demonstrate that the “EASE App” is a promising technology that can support supply chain and related data management challenges in resource poor settings. The potential benefit of the EASE App in strengthening LMIS and distribution chain system in Africa as well as future optimization of the App are discussed.
Highlights
A viable distribution system relies on adequate and timely information on inventory, demography of targeted population, as well as availability of good storage and handling facilities at all strategic points of the supply chain
NIPRIMAL product and labels were provided by the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Android based smartphones were provided by study volunteers, the EASE App as well as serially coded QR codes were provided by Ease-Medtrend Biotech (EMB) Shanghai China
Feedback forms were designed for the participants to rate field operation experiences on login, scanning, upload internet strength and number of trials before capture and upload, as very easy (VE), easy (E), good (G), fair (F), difficult (D), Varies (V), poor (P), couldn’t upload (CU), couldn’t scan (CS), and not easy (NE), in order to determine the ease of deployment of the Ease App
Summary
A viable distribution system relies on adequate and timely information on inventory, demography of targeted population, as well as availability of good storage and handling facilities at all strategic points of the supply chain. Most African countries lack the technology and infrastructure base such as real-time movement tracing and tracking technology; appropriate digital data computing, processing and storage platforms/systems; and well-equipped warehouses or medical stores. This is coupled with the long distances to be covered in reaching communities that may not be readily accessible due to poor transportation network, among other challenges. This information can be viewed and shared using appropriate digital platforms, or further linked to other databases in an integrated manner This technology is suited for Africa where most countries have problems with provision of adequate infrastructure for huge data processing, transmission and storage or archiving. We identify features of the App that require optimization for improved performance and better data analysis
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