Health
Supply Chain
Workforce
The health workforce has significant influence in shaping the performance and impact of health products and technologies systems in developing countries. By investing in training, capacity building, and support for healthcare professionals, countries can strengthen their healthcare infrastructure, improve access to quality healthcare services, and enhance the utilization of health products and technologies for the benefit of their populations.
FSW Consulting supports Ministries, Agencies and Departments of Health, at all levels of the health system to identify and strengthen specific aspects of health workforce as they impact health products and technologies systems and services. Areas of focus for FSW Consulting include;
- Workforce distribution and allocation: Human resources for health policies and strategies influence the distribution and allocation of healthcare workers across different regions and facilities within a country. By ensuring an equitable distribution of skilled personnel, disparities in access to healthcare services and health products and technologies are addressed.
FSW Consulting supports in strategic workforce planning that considers population needs, geographical factors, and service delivery requirements to optimize the utilization of available human resources and enhance the effectiveness of health systems.
- Training and capacity building: Effective training programs ensure that healthcare workers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilize health products and technologies. Training programs ensure that healthcare professionals possess the necessary knowledge and competencies to handle medical and laboratory equipment, administer pharmaceuticals, and utilize health technologies effectively.
FSW Consulting uses a team approach to support capacity building initiatives that focus on enhancing the proficiency of the workforce in managing medical equipment, administering pharmaceuticals, and leveraging health technologies to deliver quality healthcare services.
- Patient education and adherence: Healthcare workers play a vital role in educating patients about the proper use of health products and technologies, to influence utilization and adherence. Through counseling, monitoring, and support, the workforce promotes patient engagement and empowerment, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of health products and technologies in improving health outcomes.
FSW Consulting builds capacity of supply chain workforce to craft technical guidelines for healthcare professionals to ensure that patients understand how to use medications, medical devices, and other health technologies correctly, thereby enhancing treatment adherence and improving health outcomes.
- Integration of technologies into practice: Healthcare professionals play a pivotal role in integrating health products and technologies into clinical practice. They adopt innovative technologies, diagnostic tools, and treatment modalities to enhance patient care and outcomes by maximizing their impact on health service delivery.
FSW Consulting provides leadership on co-creation of continuous training and professional development programs to ensure that healthcare workers are proficient in using health technologies effectively. This includes reviewing policies that promote the adoption of innovative technologies, diagnostic tools, and treatment modalities
- Quality assurance and regulatory compliance: The health workforce is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of health products and technologies. Policies and regulations establish standards and guidelines for the quality assurance and regulatory compliance of HPT. Healthcare professionals are responsible for adhering to these standards and protocols in the procurement, storage, and use of medical supplies and equipment.
FSW Consulting builds capacity of health workforce to support regulatory agencies in enforcing compliance with regulations, conducting product evaluations, monitoring product safety, and reporting adverse events to safeguard patient health and enhance the credibility of health products and technologies systems.
- Data collection and reporting: Healthcare workers play a crucial role in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on the utilization, effectiveness, and outcomes of health products and technologies. They document patient information, treatment interventions, and clinical outcomes, providing valuable insights into the performance of healthcare systems.
FSW Consulting helps to strengthen the capacity for review of information management systems and standard operating procedures to ensure accurate data capture and reporting. This improves efficiency and effectiveness of health products and technologies systems.
- Maintenance and repair: Healthcare workers are responsible for the maintenance and repair of medical equipment and devices. Biomedical engineers have the major role, however, where access to specialized technicians is limited as is common in many developing countries, healthcare professionals often play a critical role in ensuring the functionality and reliability of health technologies.
FSW Consulting supports healthcare workers to set up systems for maintaining inventory of health technologies and maintenance status, standard operating procedures on routine maintenance tasks, identifying technical issues, and conducting minor repairs. This minimizes downtime and ensure continuous access to essential healthcare services.