AN ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AFFECTING HEALTH SUPPLY CHAIN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The nature of the transport system in Nigeria has made it inordinately difficult and extremely expensive to transport goods such as vaccines, essential drugs and other medical supplies across the length and breadth of Nigeria. These issues require immediate attention to develop a responsive transportation system which will allow for a more effective and reliable health supply chain system. This paper, therefore, focuses on the assessment of the current issues affecting the road transport system in Nigeria and how they impact the health supply chains. This conceptual research captures the findings, thoughts, experiences, views of researchers and professionals in the field of transport, supply chain, and health logistics. Published literature such as peer-reviewed articles, case studies, reports and similar documents were reviewed. Transport issues affecting health supply chain were identified under three major categories – infrastructure, vehicle, and operation - and strategies to strengthen them for optimal transport performance were proposed.