USAID ETB Project Success Story: 19 December 2017

The lack of an organized system for forecasting and monitoring resulted in periodic stockouts and uneven distribution of essential laboratory supplies, including GeneXpert cartridges. This led to service interruptions for presumptive TB patients undergoing GeneXpert testing, while overstocking risked expiration due to lack of use. A TB laboratory team developed a data collection tool to gather baseline data on average consumption and stock status in health facilities supported by the ETB project. Analysis of the data revealed that some facilities in Copperbelt Province were completely out of stock, while others were overstocked. Facilities with no GeneXpert testing capacity due to stockouts included Kalulushi Government Hospital, Kamuchanga District Hospital, Chavuma Hospital, and Chimwemwe Hospital. In contrast, facilities like Nchanga General Hospital in Chingola, Kamuchanga Hospital in Chililabombwe, and Ndola Teaching Hospital in Ndola had excessive stock levels, with some facilities holding up to 12 months' worth of GeneXpert cartridges. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health's Biomedical Scientist, the ETB laboratory specialist coordinated with facilities that were overstocked to redistribute the GeneXpert cartridges to facilities that were out of stock or nearly out of stock. As a result of the redistribution, service provision was restored to patients in the affected facilities. The redistribution effort aimed to ensure that all facilities in Copperbelt Province had a stable supply of GeneXpert cartridges, enabling them to provide uninterrupted TB testing services to presumptive patients. By addressing the stock management issues, the project aimed to improve the overall quality of TB diagnostic services in the region. The success of the redistribution effort was a direct result of the collaboration between the ETB project team and the Ministry of Health. The project's focus on improving TB laboratory commodity management helped to mitigate stockouts and overstocking, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for patients in Copperbelt Province.