OTJIWARONGO, Namibia −  The  United Nations Population Fund East and Southern Africa Regional Office (UNFPA ESARO) in collaboration with UNFPA Namibia Country Office supported the Ministry of Health and Social Services to conduct a national workshop on strengthening quantification of reproductive and maternal health commodities. 

The five-day workshop took place in Otjiwarongo from 20 - 24 June 2022  and was aimed at increasing participants’ knowledge and understanding of the quantification process, including the forecasting and supply planning steps and how these activities contribute to commodity security. 

In-addition, the workshop participants developed the Family Planning commodity forecast for 2022/23 to 2024/25 using consumption data, services data and demographic data and prepared a national supply plan to guide procurement in the period under consideration.

Quantification is a critical process in ensuring health product security. Through it, a country or region generates timely forecasts for health product requirements, determines financial needs and generate a supply plan that will inform the procurement process. 

In the East and Southern African region, supply chains are affected by numerous challenges that prevent optimal functionality. The commonest of which recur across countries in the region are inadequate staff capacity, especially in forecasting and quantification at national and sub regional levels to avoid stock imbalances and to inform procurement of contraceptives.

After the training on the quantification process, the participants used historical consumption data from Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) and District Health Information Software (DHIS) 2 to produce a consumption forecast for family planning commodities and selected maternal health commodities. 

The quantification team made several recommendations including mobilization of financial resources for all quantities required each year, development of a supply plan and monthly monitoring of the supply plan.