SCMS work in Haiti highlighted in the Boston Globe

January 21, 2010: The Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project's work in Haiti delivering drugs after the earthquake has been highlighted in the Boston Globe newspaper. Implemented through the Partnership for Supply Chain, an initiative of JSI and Management Sciences for Health, SCMS has been working in Haiti for more than two years.

The SCMS staff in Haiti have distributed medicine kits and other medical supplies from existing stock in the project warehouse to 16 hospitals and 14 clinical sites in Port-au-Prince. As of January 19, more than 40,000 pounds (18,000kg) of medicines and emergency medical supplies from warehouse stock had been distributed. Kits included: antibiotics (including co-trimoxazole), blood transfusion sets, exam lamps, first aid supplies (bandages, tape, alcohol wipes, cotton), ibuprofen, syringes and needles, and other essential drugs.

SCMS made its first routine resupply of antiretroviral AIDS medicines to a health facility. Without uninterrupted supply of antiretroviral medicines, patients will soon relapse and are at risk of developing drug resistant strains of AIDS. The staff helped treat the wounded immediately after the earthquake. SCMS staff in Haiti and around the globe are determining other ways to contribute to the relief effort.

SCMS is a USAID-funded project that manages warehousing and distribution of HIV & AIDS commodities for the President's Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the country.

JSI had three other projects working in Haiti at the time of the January 11 earthquake. All staff are safe and are now assisting with the relief effort.

Read the Boston Globe article