Distribution

For essential RMNCH commodities to be accessible and available where they are needed requires an efficient distribution system. This covers the volume of the pipeline (i.e., storage facilities and transportation links) which indicates the quantity of supplies the distribution system is able to transport and store. It is generally recommended that the results of a capacity forecast be used to verify the feasibility of forecasts of quantities of commodities using other sources of data—sufficient storage and transport resources must be available to handle the forecasted amounts. Transportation links within countries usually depend on land-based vehicles which have regular scheduled deliveries to different levels of the health system for instance from a central store, to a regional or district store and to a service delivery point.

Distribution activities, including storage and transport, work best when they focus on moving supplies efficiently to clients, not just on moving them from place to place and keeping them on shelves. Storage should be secure, clean, and organized to reduce the costs of holding inventory. The transport system should ensure regular, complete coverage of all facilities in the supply chain.