Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain
Abstract Background Humanitarian logistics involves the coordinated movement of relief goods, personnel, information, and funds between beneficiaries, donors, and suppliers, which is crucial for successful emergency response operations. In Ethiopia, logistical challenges often hinder access to healt...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13279-3 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849226470790004736 |
|---|---|
| author | Biniam Bahiru Tufa Shiferaw Mitiku Tebeka |
| author_facet | Biniam Bahiru Tufa Shiferaw Mitiku Tebeka |
| author_sort | Biniam Bahiru Tufa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Humanitarian logistics involves the coordinated movement of relief goods, personnel, information, and funds between beneficiaries, donors, and suppliers, which is crucial for successful emergency response operations. In Ethiopia, logistical challenges often hinder access to healthcare services. This study focuses on humanitarian logistics management (HLM) in Ethiopia, aiming to assess the perceptions of HLM practices, identify key challenges, and provide solutions to improve healthcare access for beneficiaries. Methods An explanatory and descriptive case study design was used to explore the logistical challenges. A mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data, was employed concurrently. The study surveyed 92 professionals in technical and managerial positions from nine directorates involved in core humanitarian logistics activities, using a census sampling method. Results The study identified 20 key challenges, grouped into five categories. Organizational and economic challenges were the most prominent. The findings revealed notable variations in HLM practices across organizations. Inventory management was the most commonly implemented logistics function, followed by distribution management. In contrast, procurement and transportation management were less effectively practiced. Among the organizations studied, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute demonstrated more effective HLM practices compared to the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service. Conclusions The study highlights significant inefficiencies in the humanitarian logistics system, particularly in procurement and transportation management. These inefficiencies disrupt humanitarian operations, leading to delays in the delivery of pharmaceuticals to beneficiaries. Inadequate logistics can result in loss of life, increased suffering, and unnecessary costs. This research contributes to understanding the gaps in HLM practices in Ethiopia and provides recommendations for improving logistics efficiency in public health emergencies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-00e6d2b2841940d49799438d8ce2f4b4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-00e6d2b2841940d49799438d8ce2f4b42025-08-24T11:15:32ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-08-0125111310.1186/s12913-025-13279-3Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chainBiniam Bahiru Tufa0Shiferaw Mitiku Tebeka1Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, School of Commerce, Addis Ababa UniversityAbstract Background Humanitarian logistics involves the coordinated movement of relief goods, personnel, information, and funds between beneficiaries, donors, and suppliers, which is crucial for successful emergency response operations. In Ethiopia, logistical challenges often hinder access to healthcare services. This study focuses on humanitarian logistics management (HLM) in Ethiopia, aiming to assess the perceptions of HLM practices, identify key challenges, and provide solutions to improve healthcare access for beneficiaries. Methods An explanatory and descriptive case study design was used to explore the logistical challenges. A mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data, was employed concurrently. The study surveyed 92 professionals in technical and managerial positions from nine directorates involved in core humanitarian logistics activities, using a census sampling method. Results The study identified 20 key challenges, grouped into five categories. Organizational and economic challenges were the most prominent. The findings revealed notable variations in HLM practices across organizations. Inventory management was the most commonly implemented logistics function, followed by distribution management. In contrast, procurement and transportation management were less effectively practiced. Among the organizations studied, the Ethiopian Public Health Institute demonstrated more effective HLM practices compared to the Ministry of Health and the Ethiopian Pharmaceuticals Supply Service. Conclusions The study highlights significant inefficiencies in the humanitarian logistics system, particularly in procurement and transportation management. These inefficiencies disrupt humanitarian operations, leading to delays in the delivery of pharmaceuticals to beneficiaries. Inadequate logistics can result in loss of life, increased suffering, and unnecessary costs. This research contributes to understanding the gaps in HLM practices in Ethiopia and provides recommendations for improving logistics efficiency in public health emergencies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13279-3EthiopiaHumanitarian logisticsPharmaceuticalsPublic health emergencyCritical success factorsDisaster |
| spellingShingle | Biniam Bahiru Tufa Shiferaw Mitiku Tebeka Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain BMC Health Services Research Ethiopia Humanitarian logistics Pharmaceuticals Public health emergency Critical success factors Disaster |
| title | Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain |
| title_full | Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain |
| title_fullStr | Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain |
| title_short | Practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the Ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain |
| title_sort | practice and challenges of humanitarian logistics management within the ethiopian public pharmaceutical supply chain |
| topic | Ethiopia Humanitarian logistics Pharmaceuticals Public health emergency Critical success factors Disaster |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13279-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT biniambahirutufa practiceandchallengesofhumanitarianlogisticsmanagementwithintheethiopianpublicpharmaceuticalsupplychain AT shiferawmitikutebeka practiceandchallengesofhumanitarianlogisticsmanagementwithintheethiopianpublicpharmaceuticalsupplychain |