A logistics support framework: a systems-based approach to logistics planning for development projects

Abstract

Logistics support plays a critical role in the delivery of quality health care services, particularly in developing countries. This study utilised systems methodology and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) analysis to develop a support framework for a Vision Centre in rural Vietnam. The methodology employs elements of both “soft” (in particular Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology approach) and “hard” systems practices to develop an accessible and robust logistics planning tool.

Le soutien en matière de logistique joue un rôle crucial dans la prestation de services de soins de santé de qualité, en particulier dans les pays en développement. Cette étude a utilisé une méthodologie par systèmes et une analyse du Soutien logistique intégré (Integrated Logistics Support — ILS) pour élaborer un cadre de soutien pour un Vision Centre dans le Viet-Nam rural. La méthodologie a recours à des éléments de pratiques de systèmes « soft » (en particulier l'approche Soft Systems Methodology de Checkland) et « hard » pour élaborer un outil de planification accessible et robuste en matière de logistique.

El apoyo logístico desempeña un papel fundamental en el ofrecimiento de servicios de salud de calidad, particularmente en los países en desarrollo. El presente estudio utilizó la metodología de sistemas y el análisis del Apoyo Logístico Integrado (ali) para crear un marco de apoyo destinado a un Centro de Visión en el Vietnam rural. Dicha metodología incorpora tanto elementos de sistemas “blandos” —especialmente el enfoque Metodología de Sistemas Blandos (Soft Systems Methodology) de Checkland—, como de sistemas “duros”, con el fin de crear una herramienta accesible, que al mismo tiempo resulte robusta para la planeación logística.

Keywords:

• Social sector – Health
• Aid – Capacity development
• Aid effectiveness
• Methods
• East Asia

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the staff of CBM Vietnam who assisted in making information available for review.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Timothy Keeffe is a Logistics Officer in the Australian Army, Brisbane, Australia.

Gail Ormsby is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Science, Avondale College of Higher Education, Cooranbong, Australia.

Notes

1. In India, Vision Centre is the term given to simple rural facility that provides primary eye care and the provision of glasses for the community. In Vietnam the similar facility that provides primary eye care services has been established as an eye unit as part of the district hospital. The Vietnam government did not favour the use of the term Vision Centre as part of their health system. In this article, Vision Centre has been predominantly used, but is interchanged with the term Eye Unit.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for the programme was provided by the Australian Agency for International Development Avoidable Blindness Initiative to CBM Australia /CBM Vietnam. The Centre for Eye Research Australia receives Operational Infrastructure Support from the Victorian Government.