In March 2024 we had the pleasure of returning to Djibouti, some nine months after the end of the pilot phase deployments. This was an opportunity to reflect on the positive and negative aspects of the first phase, with a mind to scaling Open mSupply nationwide.
During the pilot phase, funded by UNDP Djibouti with the support and collaboration of the Direction des Programmes Sanitaires Prioritaires (Priority Health Programmes Department) and CAMME (Djibouti’s central warehouse) and UNFPA Djibouti. Twelve health facilities were installed with the Open mSupply. In May 2023, a total of fourteen Open mSupply workstations were created and super- and end-users were trained by consultants from the mSupply Foundation.
One of the key elements of this project is the development of an interface with the SAGE 100 Cloud software used by CAMME to manage their inventory and accounting. Orders are now received electronically, eliminating the need for laborious manual data entry and the use of paper forms, and significantly improving order processing times.
Customisations have been added to the software and are now available for all countries:- The ability to configure periodic ordering system (schedule and parameters) as per the guidelines of national health programmes
- The possibility for programmes managers to review and authorise orders remotely before they are sent to CAMME (remote authorisation module)
- and finally dispensing with the use of barcode readers to avoid manuel entry when capturing consumption data
Nine months after the roll-out was completed, we were delighted to see that the software is being used on a daily basis and that feedback from end users is very positive, if only to say that they now want to manage all their products with it!
The scaling-up project (funded jointly by Gavi and the World Bank) was decided after an evaluation of the pilot phase affirming that the foundations were in place for successful expansion. All the country’s health facilities will be equipped with the software, including the vaccination units run by the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). All health commodities will be managed using Open mSupply including vaccines and consumables.
And that’s not all! We will also be introducing our cold chain management module, including our integration with Berlinger’s devices (Fridge-tags & Q-tags) and our upcoming cold chain equipment inventory module (CCEI) funded by GAVI.
None of this would be possible without the incredible efforts of Mohamed Adoyta Houlay (mSupply coordinator, on the left on the picture), who takes great care of end users to provide them with the best possible experience and expertise.