Training workshop on Strengthening Supply Chain Coordination and Forecasting for PC-NTDs
Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo – As countries across Africa continue to advance towards the elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a public health problem, strong and reliable supply chain systems are becoming increasingly essential to sustaining progress. Ensuring that medicines and diagnostics reach communities on time is about more than making donated products available. It depends on coordinated planning, accurate forecasting, effective shipment management and strong national oversight to deliver medicines where they are needed most.
To strengthen these systems, WHO AFRO through the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) convened the Regional Workshop on Strengthening Supply Chain Coordination and Forecasting for Preventive Chemotherapy (PC)-NTDs from 15 to 19 June 2026 in Kintélé, Brazzaville,Congo. The workshop brought together national NTD supply chain officers, WHO Country Office logisticians, partners and pharmaceutical donor representatives to strengthen coordination and forecasting for preventive chemotherapy (PC) medicines and diagnostics.
The five-day workshop followed the journey of commodities from request to delivery and use. Participants explored key stages of the supply chain, beginning with Green Light approval, import permits and shipment coordination. Discussions highlighted the importance of early planning, clear roles and effective coordination to prevent avoidable delays that can affect treatment campaigns and programme implementation.
The workshop then focused on customs clearance, logistics monitoring and digital tools, including NTDeliver, to improve shipment tracking visibility and strengthen first-mile coordination. Participants also examined inventory reconciliation, Logistics Management information systems (LMIS) data mapping and reporting processes to improve accountability and ensure medicines are tracked effectively after arrival.
Looking ahead, participants explored multi-year forecasting approaches, ESPEN projections and AI-assisted validation tools to support more accurate medicine planning. Country teams applied these tools to review forecasts, identify gaps and define priority actions based on their national programme realities.
A key outcome of the workshop was the development of practical, country-specific action plans to strengthening first-mile coordination, streamline customs processes, enhance inventory accountability, improve forecasting quality and reinforce supply chain governance. Developed in response to each country's priorities and supply chain bottlenecks, these action plans provide a roadmap for strengthening access to medicines. Countries also committed to continued peer learning and regular coordination to support implementation.
