The need to foster and improve public-private partnerships when it comes to last-mile vaccine delivery formed the crux of discussion during the September episode of Insights by eHA held on Wednesday, 27th September 2023.  The monthly Public Health Insights Webinar Series to provide a platform for intellectual discussions on improving healthcare systems in Africa. 

This episode titled, “Promoting public-private partnerships to improve last-mile vaccine delivery, brought together industry experts with an array of experience in the area of public-private partnerships in vaccine delivery, its many success stories and challenges hindering its prospects.  Speaking during the webinar, panelists reiterated the importance of designing a concrete plan and solid framework to ensure sustainable implementation. Panelists also laid emphasis on the need  for all partners to be on the same page as regards the monitoring and evaluating the progress  of such a project.

According to panelists, it  is important to explore the accessibility of mobile technologies to ensure vaccines get to remote areas. A simple example is the use of Whatsap and Short Message Services via partnership with mobile service providers for effective communication to clients and caregivers to encourage and increase vaccination. Private partnership plays a crucial role in setting up and utilisation of such technologies to promote vaccine uptake. 

Citing examples, panelists revealed that the “Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC_ESM) midwifed a public private partnership to ensure that life saving vaccines are available and affordable across all states of intervention. This was achieved by partnering the local pharmaceutical companies to improve production capacities, ensure drug safety and increase job availability due to potential increased demand for medicines.  Another important public private partnership highlighted during the webinar is between Zipline Drone Delivery and Logistics  and Kaduna State Government which successfully delivered life saving vaccines to remote areas using drones. 

The panelists called on government agencies to prioritize partnerships through   effective resource allocation and improved commitment to ensure scaling of these partnerships while calling for the replication of successful partnerships in other locations taking cognisance of the contexts.

Host

• Mohammed-Faosy Adeniran  - eHealth Africa 

Panelists

• Dr. Abiodun Oyenuga - Project Lead, BMGF Strategic Support to targeted Nigerian States to Improve Supply Chain Performance

• Timilehin Omole -  Executive Director of the International Association of Public Health Logisticians

•  Doreen Enejoh - Country Program Lead, USAID MTaPS Program, Management Sciences for Health, Nigeria