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Project Last Mile

November 01, 2018
by Elisabeth Reitman

Leveraging the business acumen of a soft drink giant to improve access to medical supplies and health services across Africa.

supply and demand

Critical supply chain gaps cause medicine stock-outs in more than 40 percent of health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa. PLM uses Coca-Cola’s planning and forecasting tools to manage logistics, warehouse inventory and distribution procedures.

network optimization

In Mozambique, PLM mapped over 1,500 health facilities and used data on road conditions and load requirements to design optimal routes.

storage units

Vaccines must be stored and trans- ported at specific temperatures, and refrigerator malfunctions can render vaccines ineffective. In Nigeria, PLM works with the company’s refrigeration partners to ensure effective preventative maintenance and timely repairs to health facility refrigerators.

convenient distribution

For patients living with stable chronic illnesses, traveling to a crowded health center and waiting in a long line is an enormous burden. In South Africa, PLM has supported a national program that allow patients to pick up their medicines at commercial pharmacies and other convenient locations.

We hope this work can inspire other visionary partnerships for global good.

Erika Linnander

demand generation

In eSwatini, PLM is utilizing the company’s marketing strategies to improve patient demand for HIV services among girls and young women, in alignment with national health plan targets.


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Submitted by Elisabeth Reitman on December 18, 2018