Performance of Jazia Prime Vendor System in ensuring availability of health commodities in Singida Region, Tanzania: a pre- and post-evaluation study

BACKGROUND: Availability of the health commodities in public health facilities in Tanzania remains a challenge, and has been reported to be below 70%. Moreover, Medical Stores Department’s capacity to supply health commodities has been only 40%. Therefore, Jazia Prime Vendor System (Jazia PVS) was outsourced to complement the Medical Stores Department. In 2017 Jazia PVS was introduced in Singida Region after being piloted in three other Regions. This study therefore, was conducted to assess the performance of Jazia PVS in enhancing the availability of the health commodities in the public health facilities between 2017 and 2019 in Singida Region, Tanzania. METHODS: A mixed method pre- and post-evaluation analytical study design was used in all the selected public health facilities in the Municipal and District Councils of Singida Region, Tanzania. These included 138 public health facilities: One Regional Referral Hospital, four District Hospitals, 19 Health Centres and 114 Dispensaries. Percent availability of health commodities was abstracted from electronic logistics management information system. Documentary review involved quarterly orders, Jazia PVS delivery notes, and payment vouchers; while all the 138 pharmacists incharge were interviewed. RESULTS: The mean availability of health commodities was modestly higher after adoption of Jazia PVS (mean = 59.17%, SD = 6.12%) than before Jazia PVS (mean = 54.39%, SD = 5.36%); and the difference between means was 4.78% (t = -9.49, df = 136, p < 0.001). Furthermore, 20.3% (109/421) of orders were fulfilled, while 58% (312/421) were not, (χ(2) = 10.46, df = 6, p = 0.1067). About 73.7% of orders (320/434) were delivered on time, while 26.3% (114/434) delayed, (χ(2) = 121, df = 6, p < 0,001). Prompt payment to Jazia PVS was 43.0% (164/381) deliveries, while 57.0% (217/382) were not punctual, (χ(2) = 26, df = 6, p < 0.001). Satisfaction level of the pharmacists incharge for Jazia PVS was 11.8%, (χ(2) = 78.04, df = 3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: With Jazia PVS, availability of health commodities improved by 4.78% in 2 years. Prompt payment of Jazia PVS will enhance performance of the vendor.