Keywords
artisanal alcohol
liver enzymes
Likasi
Democratic Republic of the Congo
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction
Inefficient pharmaceutical logistics remains a primary barrier to accessing essential medicines in low-resource settings, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Purpose
This study aimed to analyze logistical operational bottlenecks at the Centrale d’Achat et de Distribution des Médicaments Essentiels de Matadi/Boma (CAAMEBO) Regional Distribution Center (CDR) in Matadi and propose evidence-based strategies to improve distribution efficiency.
Methods
A convergent mixed-methods case study design was executed between January and March 2025. Purposive sampling was used to select 5 key informants (doctor, pharmacist, pharmacy assistant, administrative manager, logistician) for semi-structured interviews. Concurrently, a structured survey was administered to 18 operational warehouse and distribution staff (N = 18). Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using NVivo 12, while quantitative variables were evaluated using descriptive statistics in SPSS (v26).
Results
Key informant analysis revealed that 80.0% (n = 4) of interviewees reported frequent stockouts (≥ 3 instances per quarter), with a mean stockout duration of 12.4 days (SD = 4.1). Quantitative survey data confirmed that 83.3% (n = 15) of operational staff experienced ≥ 3 stockouts per quarter and 72.2% (n = 13) cited delivery delays exceeding 7 days (mean delay = 9.3 days, SD = 3.5). Manual stock management was identified by 100% of participants as prone to human error, and 88.9% (n = 16) noted the complete absence of real-time stock tracking. All staff (100%) supported transitioning to a computerized management system.
Conclusion
The CAAMEBO CDR faces severe operational bottlenecks linked to manual record-keeping, vulnerable transportation infrastructure, and fragmented supply chain governance. Phased interventions—focusing on immediate workforce training, medium-term process standardization, and long-term digitalization—are essential to guarantee medicine availability.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lukamba, A. T., Kaumb, G. K., Cimanuka, A. B., Kitho, F. N., Mbuya, J. M., Ndalamba, A. M., Luvuezo, D. D., Mutwale, M. K., Matoba, N. M. N., Muzang, G. N. K., Imani, A. S. A.