How a 70 Percent Stock-Out Rate Fell to 2 Percent: Rebuilding Zambia's Laboratory Supply Chain
How a 70 Percent Stock-Out Rate Fell to 2 Percent: Rebuilding Zambia's Laboratory Supply Chain For years, Zambia's laboratory program ran short of the basic supplies that keep patients tested and staff safe. CD4 test kits, viral load reagents, gentian violet stain, gloves, and other personal protective equipment were often missing from the shelf. Without them, laboratories could not support the country's HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal and child health services. The situation was dire. At baseline, more than 70 percent of essential reagents were out of stock. The few reagents that were available often came in the wrong mix. A single test might require four items, such as a test kit, saline solution, decontamination solution, and a lyophilized reagent, yet a laboratory would have only two of them on hand. The other two sat unused. Equipment told the same story. Analyzers broke down and stayed down because there was no maintenance contract, no service provider, ...