| Abstract: | There are indications that the use of the paper-based LMIS system in the Ethiopian public health
system is limited only to some health program commodities; there are also reported challenges
with regards to the timeliness and quality of the reports collected from the health facilities. This
assessment identified gaps between the way the LMIS is designed to work and how it actually
works in anti-retroviral treatment (ART) service providing facilities. Non-experimental,
descriptive cross-sectional assessment was conducted to gather both qualitative and quantitative
data from April 13 to 24, 2015 using semi-structured questionnaires and standardized checklists.
Using primary and secondary data collected from the study units, relevant indicators were
calculated, descriptive statistics generated and qualitative findings were thematically analysed
and summarized. The findings indicate that significant progresses have been made in terms of
the system coverage and implementation while there are still gaps to be addressed. The LMIS is
well designed for the purpose it is intended to serve; the basic logistics data items are clearly
identified and defined in the IPLS SOP which also defines the processes and the roles and
responsibilities of stakeholders. Training and support to the facilities is encouraging. The
formats are found to be simple to use by the end users and their availability and utilization rate
was found to be good. Reporting rate is also 100% and 86% of the facilities received their
resupply from PFSA within two weeks after reporting. Completeness and arithmetic accuracy of
reports was also satisfactory with some room for improvement. Products order fill rate and
product availability for tracer ARV drugs by the time of visit was high. Of the visited 14 sites,
only sixty four percent of the visited sites are using electronic LMIS (HCMIS) for inventory
control and reporting purpose. Health facilities reported inadequacy of staffing, training and
support amongst other challenges. The study also identified gaps in terms of providing feedback
to the health facilities. Provision of formats is also found to be donor/partner dependent that
poses a challenge for sustainability. Based on the findings, it is recommended that PFSA and
respective RHBs/ZHDs/WoHOs assess their staffing, training, format provision, feedback and
supportive supervision strategies and plans for future improvement. It is also proposed that
PFSA should expand the LMIS (including electronic system) implementation to cover more
program products and health facilities. Considering the need to collect additional data for better
decision making, revision of the RRF is recommended while investigating potential linkages with
other data collection systems. |
