136. Inventory management for mobile clinics in the Witzenberg region, South Africa
Invited abstract in session TA-3: Location and logistics, stream Sessions.
Tuesday, 9:00-10:30Room: NTNU, Realfagbygget R9
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Isabelle Nieuwoudt
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| Logistics, Stellenbosch University | |
| 2. | Linke Potgieter
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| Logistics, Stellenbosch University | |
| 3. | Natasha Sibanda
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| Logistics, Stellenbosch University |
Abstract
In rural South Africa, many communities face challenges accessing healthcare due to long distances to facilities, often requiring travel on foot. Mobile clinics, like those in the Witzenberg region, were introduced to address this issue, offering services like immunizations, chronic disease management, TB screening, HIV testing and women wellness to farming communities. The mobile clinics follow a four-week cycle, visiting different farms, and the inventory required varies based on the number of patients and services needed.
At the Prince Alfred Hamlet clinic, which supports two mobile clinics, inventory management is done manually, leading to errors and confusion. Staff, based on experience, stock the clinics weekly, but sometimes need to replenish mid-week, or have to return to some farms if supplies run out.
This project aimed to improve inventory visibility and introduce a safety stock approach. Services provided from the patient data was used to estimate weekly inventory demand. A knapsack model was developed to optimize inventory packing, minimizing over- and under-stocking. ABC classification prioritized high-demand items, and penalty weights were applied to critical items to reduce understocking risks.
Model results indicate an improvement in understocking issues as well as an improvement in mobile clinic capacity usage by prioritizing more important items to be packed first. It also provided better insight into weekly inventory needs.
Keywords
- Healthcare logistics
- Healthcare management
- Resource scheduling
Status: accepted
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