UMMB and JMS Forge Partnership for Supply Chain Enhancement

The Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB) Executive Secretary together with Executive Director of Joint Medical Stores (JMS) has today engaged in a constructive dialogue to discuss ways of improving the supply chain system within UMMB network.

The UMMB Executive Secretary, Mr. Kivumbi Muzamiru, spearheaded the team's visit to the Joint Medical Stores office for the discussion meeting.

https://twitter.com/ummb_i/status/1759511048506220693

Mr. Kivumbi emphasized that despite the Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB) Health Network's commitment to delivering quality healthcare services, persistent challenges in supply chain management have hindered their efforts. This served as the focal point for the discussion to address the pressing issues at hand.

The meeting commenced with an exchange of pleasantries, followed by a comprehensive overview of the current state of affairs within both organizations. The UMMB Executive Secretary highlighted the importance of collaboration and emphasized that by working together, they could enhance patient care and optimize resource (medical products) utilization. During the meeting, various challenges were identified, including delayed and out of stock of key medical products and supplies, accreditation and limited access to essential medical supplies. 

During the meeting, Mr. Kivumbi Muzamiru emphasized the importance of a strong supply chain in the functioning and success of the UMMB Health Network. He stressed the need for timely and consistent supply of essential medicines and medical equipment to the network's facilities in order to ensure quality healthcare services are delivered to the communities they serve. The team also raised concerns about the delays in facility accreditation for reproductive health product, which had caused a strain on the network's ability to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare to its patients. Recognizing these obstacles as hindrances to providing quality healthcare services, both parties engaged in brainstorming sessions to develop viable solutions.

In response Dr. Bildard Baguma, in response, acknowledged the importance of the UMMB Health Network in the country's healthcare system and reiterated JMS's commitment to supporting their efforts. He highlighted some of the challenges faced by JMS in meeting the demands of various healthcare networks and facilities across the country, such as limited resources and logistical constraints. However, he reassured the team that efforts were being made to address these issues and improve the supply turnaround time.

Joint Medical Store (JMS) is the leading Private Not-for-Profit Organization (PNFP) established in 1979 by Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau (UCMB) and Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau (UPMB) and licensed by National Drug Authority (NDA) to engage in the importation, warehousing, exportation, wholesale, and distribution of medicines and related healthcare supplies. 

The discussion then moved towards finding practical solutions to the challenges faced by the UMMB Health Network. Both Mr. Kivumbi and Dr. Baguma agreed on the need for stronger collaboration between the two organizations to enhance supply chain efficiency. They also discussed the possibility of setting up a regular supply chain review committee consisting of representatives from both organizations to address any issues that may arise.

Uganda Muslim Medical Bureau (UMMB) is a national organization established by the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) in 1999 to coordinate activities of Muslim Private not for Profit (PNFP) health facilities in the country. With its 76 members in the network, the Bureau coordinates the activities of all member health facilities and is the main link between these facilities, government, and other stakeholders.

In addition to supply chain management, the two leaders also delved into the delay in accreditation of facilities for RH products. This has been a major concern for the UMMB Health Network as it has hindered their efforts to reach out to more communities in need of family planning services. Dr. Baguma assured Mr. Kivumbi that the JMS team would work towards expediting the accreditation process and ensuring that all facilities meet the necessary requirements.

The meeting, extending over several hours, was attended by key personnel including UMMB Supply Chain Advisor Dr. Nakato Hawa, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Technical Advisor Sr. Namakula Joweria, I.T Communication and Advocacy Specialist Mr. Wabusimba Amiri, and Mrs. Joanita N Lwanyaga, Project Director at JMS. Ending on a positive note, both Mr. Kivumbi and Dr. Baguma expressed their commitment to collaborative efforts in tackling challenges within the UMMB Health Network. A comprehensive action plan was outlined, featuring regular follow-up meetings, supply chain process monitoring, joint procurement and inventory management training sessions, and joint advocacy initiatives targeting policy barriers affecting family planning services supply and any emerging issues.