With the introduction of newer, costlier, and bulkier vaccines in recent years, it has become even more difficult to safely store and transport vaccines to all populations – especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Maintaining an effective supply chain requires ongoing effort and continuous improvement, and often involves multiple technical partners and stakeholders.
Several countries acknowledged National Logistics Working Groups (NLWGs) as instrumental for improving supply chain management, ensuring equitable access to the expanded program on immunization’s (EPI) vaccines.
This elearning module helps learners understand how to establish or reinforce a well-functioning NLWG in their country.
Learning objectives
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain what an NLWG is and how it can help improve the performance of a supply chain
- Describe the required steps to establish an NLWG or to reinforce an NLWG
- Identify the tools available (in the toolkit) for each step of establishing and reinforcing an NLWG
- Explain what an SNLWG is and how it can help improve the performance of a supply chain
Audience
This elearning course is for all national and international World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF professionals involved in supply chain management, as well as national program officers, Ministry of Health representatives, immunization supply chain managers, and ICC members. It is also open to all consultants and partners working in support of immunization.
Length
This course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Methodology
Through a series of engagement questions, learners are asked to think through the necessary steps for establishing an NLWG. Learners are then provided with tools and templates that will help with each of these steps. The course culminates in a case study which requires learners to evaluate whether an NLWG is functioning well – and determine what might help it function more effectively.
Structure
This course is structured as follows:
NLWG:
- Introduction
- Part 1: What is an NLWG?
- Part 2: Establishing an NLWG
- Part 3: Case Study: Applying NLWG Core indicators and Tools
SNLWG:
- How to create a Sub-National Logistics Working Group
Contact details
For questions or feedback on this programme, please contact the UNICEF Supply Chain Strengthening Team, at sc.strengthening@unicef.org
