Imagine a farmer, toiling under the sun, tirelessly working her land to provide for her family. She knows that her health is just as vital as the crops she tends. But in rural Kaduna, where healthcare access can be as scarce as salt in a sea of possibilities, what happens when this lifeline is out of reach? The Kaduna Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project, funded by Bayer Foundation, is not just changing this narrative—it’s transforming lives.
From the outside, it might seem like just another program, but the reality on the ground is different. Healthy Entrepreneurs Nigeria, one of the key drivers of this initiative, is stepping up to ensure these women have the healthcare access they need. But here’s the catch: they can’t do it alone. The real game-changer is the easy and reliable access to high-quality medicines, a challenge that Advantage Pharmaceutical Limited has taken on with full force.
The Role of Advantage Pharmaceutical Limited in Kaduna WEE Project
So, how does Advantage Pharmaceutical Limited, a business arm under Advantage Health Africa, fit into this complex puzzle? It’s simple—without their supply chain efforts, providing consistent access to medications would be like trying to grow crops without rain. Advantage Pharma ensures that these female farmers not only get the medications they need but get them on time, at a cost-effective rate, and with access to expert consultations that provide critical information about drug interactions.
When we spoke to Mr. Michael Heavens, the MD/CEO of Advantage Pharmaceutical Limited, he painted a clear picture of their evolving role. He mentioned that their primary goal is to supply high-quality and efficacious products. But it doesn’t stop there. “We ensure the female farmers get high-quality medications in good time and at a cost-effective rate,” he explained. This level of dedication goes beyond mere logistics—it’s about creating a sustainable impact that supports economic empowerment through agriculture.
Success in the Supply Chain: What It Means for Kaduna WEE Project
But how does Advantage Pharma measure success in its healthcare supply chain initiatives? Mr. Heavens emphasised the importance of word-of-mouth feedback from partners like Healthy Entrepreneurs Nigeria. He added that they evaluate the efficacy of the medicines supplied and how far their expiry dates are. This hands-on approach ensures that the salt in their efforts doesn’t lose its savour—each step is measured, evaluated, and improved upon.
Looking to the future, Mr. Heavens hinted at broadening their efforts to gather direct data from female farmers and Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs). This will help fine-tune their supply chain, ensuring that no medication request goes unmet. They are also negotiating to involve more brands, ensuring a diverse and reliable supply chain.
Strategies for a Sustainable Supply Chain
Pharm. Zainab Adegboyega, the Supply Chain Manager at Advantage Pharmaceuticals Limited, further shed light on the strategies that make their supply chain efforts sustainable. Over the years, they have built strong customer relationships with vendors, giving them leverage to ensure consistent product availability. Their understanding of inventory management has led to efficient systems that monitor stock levels, reduce wastages, and optimise replenishment.
Pharm. Zainab also highlighted the importance of partnering with reliable logistics companies to ensure swift and timely deliveries. “We conduct demand forecasting to analyse market trends and demand patterns,” she noted, which is crucial for guiding procurement decisions. The ultimate goal? To expand their impact beyond Kaduna, ensuring universal health coverage and women empowerment across Nigeria and Africa.
The Bigger Picture
It’s clear that the Kaduna WEE Project, with its focus on women empowerment and economic empowerment through agriculture, is more than just a local initiative—it’s a blueprint for change. This transformative project, driven by Healthy Entrepreneurs Nigeria (a joint venture between Advantage Health Africa and Healthy Entrepreneur), and other partners like CoAmana, AFEX, and Jennifer Etuh Foundation, is setting a new standard for what healthcare access and economic empowerment should look like in underserved communities.
And none of this would be possible without the generous funding from Bayer Foundation. Their support is the backbone of these efforts, allowing these partners to bring healthcare and economic empowerment to the salt of the earth—the female farmers of Kaduna. As we continue this journey, we invite you to stay updated with all our activities by following our LinkedIn page. Together, we can make sure that access to healthcare and economic empowerment isn’t just a promise, but a reality for every woman in Kaduna and beyond.
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