The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) has continued to implement the rollout of the Pluslife nPOC molecular diagnostic platform and tuberculosis (TB) test, with deliveries now completed to Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa, and Vietnam.
South Africa loading. - Photo: 3PL
Bangladesh Loading - Photo: 3PL
The latest country deliveries follow the initial implementations in Benin, Uganda, and Zambia between May and June and mark the next stage of the early implementation program for the rollout of the platform across 13 countries.
The deliveries build on months of PFSCM coordination across sourcing, quality assurance, logistics, supplier engagement, and country planning to support the introduction of the technology into national TB programs.
Across the six countries, we have delivered more than 1,600 Pluslife Minidock devices with enough accompanying tests/reagents to run over 2 million TB tests. These deliveries are essential to bringing TB testing closer to patients, directly addressing the TB burden in these regions. Beyond the core diagnostic systems, PFSCM also delivered the full suite of consumables, auxiliary equipment, and controls needed to run a complete diagnostic workflow, including mixing devices.
PFSCM also procured essential services, including installation, training, and maintenance, which are critical for the successful introduction of any new technology.
PFSCM Senior Procurement and Client Services Manager Vesna Petrakovic says the experience gained from the first three country implementations in Benin, Uganda, and Zambia has helped inform how PFSCM prepared for the next country rollouts.
“Each country implementation has given us a better understanding of what is required to move the Pluslife platform from procurement through to implementation.”
She adds that PFSCM applied those lessons to the latest group of countries, anticipating requirements earlier and coordinating key steps more efficiently.
“We can identify equipment, consumables, documentation, import requirements, and other country-specific needs earlier in the process, helping to reduce potential delays and ensuring everything is in place when shipments arrive.”
Further, Petrakovic says this experience is strengthening coordination between PFSCM, suppliers, and national TB programs, and donors, helping teams prepare for the practical requirements of implementation earlier in the process.
“We are continuously learning from each implementation and using that experience to work faster and smarter as the rollout continues.”
Bangladesh training - Photo: PlusLife
Bangladesh training - Photo: PlusLife
PFSCM Logistics Manager Elena Feldsherova says that coordinating deliveries across multiple countries requires tailoring shipment planning to be tailored to each country’s requirements.
“This was a completely new project for all stakeholders, involving a new item registration and importation process.
“We needed to verify the specific requirements for each country and ensure that all necessary information was gathered well in advance to support shipment planning and execution.”
She adds that the project required a dedicated team effort to anticipate potential risks, assess country-specific requirements and limitations, and prepare for the challenges of shipping large quantities across multiple routes. 12 shipments for these countries have been delivered thus far.
A further challenge was the handling and transportation of Dangerous Goods (DG). Feldsherova explains that this involved navigating additional regulatory requirements, restrictions, and transportation limitations across different countries and routes.
“Finding suitable solutions for these DG-related challenges required specific expertise, close collaboration, and, in many cases, quick decision-making and resolution to avoid delays and ensure shipments could proceed as planned.
“Overall, early preparation, strong cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to quickly identify and resolve issues were key to successfully managing the complexity of the project and ensuring readiness for shipment.”
She notes that close coordination among PFSCM, suppliers, logistics providers, and country stakeholders supported importation, customs clearance, and final delivery across the six countries.
In several countries, shipments were cleared on the day of arrival or within a few days, while in others, processing took longer due to country-specific customs procedures.
Meanwhile, 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.
With these latest deliveries, nine of the 13 countries participating in the early implementation program have now received the Pluslife platform.
As countries continue to expand access to molecular TB testing, nPOC 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.
Photo: PlusLife
