PFSCM supports first country implementations of the Pluslife TB diagnostic platform in Benin, Uganda, and Zambia

Benin and Uganda are the first countries to receive the platform through an early implementation program that will support rollout across 13 countries. The first country implementations represent the successful transition from supply chain readiness to implementation following months of coordination across sourcing, quality assurance, logistics, supplier engagement, and country planning.

PFSCM Senior Procurement and Client Services Manager Vesna Petrakovic says introducing an innovative diagnostic platform requires careful coordination across every stage of implementation.

“Successfully introducing an innovative diagnostic platform requires every part of the implementation pathway to come together, from supplier readiness and logistics to country coordination and training.

“These first deliveries demonstrate the value of that preparation and provide a strong foundation for future country rollouts.”

Ahead of the first country implementations, PFSCM coordinated supplier onboarding, operational readiness, documentation review, shipment planning, logistics coordination, and implementation planning to help ensure countries received complete implementation solutions rather than standalone diagnostic instruments.

In Benin, PFSCM coordinated the delivery of equipment to the for distribution to about 10 implementation sites. The shipment included several Pluslife devices with auxiliary equipment and accessories like controls and mixing devices, along with enough tests/consumables to run thousands of TB tests.

In Uganda, PFSCM coordinated the delivery of equipment to the national central warehouse, where it will be distributed to about 220 health facilities. The shipment included hundreds of Pluslife MiniDock systems, auxiliary equipment, controls and enough tests to run more than 10,000 TB tests.

In Zambia, PFSCM coordinated the delivery of equipment to support the country’s implementation of the Pluslife platform. The shipment included 134 Pluslife MiniDock systems, 55 Thermolyze units, 226 controls, and 6,500 TB tests.

All country deliveries were completed using temperature-controlled commercial air-freight.

PFSCM Logistics Manager Elena Feldsherova says detailed planning before the first shipments left the supplier was essential to supporting successful country implementation.

“These first deployments required detailed shipment planning, documentation, supplier readiness, transport optimization, and close coordination across multiple stakeholders.

“That preparation helped ensure the products moved efficiently through the international supply chain and reached countries ready for implementation.”

Close coordination between PFSCM, suppliers, logistics providers, and country stakeholders also helped streamline importation processes.

In Benin, the import waiver was secured in just nine days, compared with the typical four-week process, while customs clearance and delivery were completed within one day of arrival.

In Uganda, the shipment arrived just 14 days after receiving approval to proceed, with customs clearance and delivery to the central warehouse completed within four days.

In Zambia, the import waiver was secured in 11 days, while customs clearance and final delivery were completed within four days of the shipment arriving at the airport.

Training for the Pluslife platform is tailored to each country’s rollout strategy. Depending on program needs, training may be provided on-site or through regional group sessions, with laboratory personnel and designated super users participating to support ongoing implementation.
The first country implementations provide an important foundation for rollout across the remaining participating countries.

As countries prepare to expand access to molecular TB testing, near point-of-care platforms have the potential to bring high-quality diagnostics closer to patients through primary healthcare facilities and community settings. By supporting the successful introduction of these technologies through integrated procurement, logistics, quality assurance, and implementation services, PFSCM is helping strengthen diagnostic networks and improve access to timely TB diagnosis where it is needed most.