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Overcoming the Challenges of the Last Mile: A Model of Riders for Health

In: Handbook of Healthcare Operations Management

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica H. McCoy

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

Healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa is acutely inadequate. The last mile of the health delivery supply chain, in particular, is a critical bottleneck to healthcare access in this and other regions. There are a number of challenges to building relevant models for resource-limited settings, including a lack of data and performance indicators. Nonetheless, operations research methodology can be used to evaluate and improve the last mile of health delivery. We present a case study of our work with Riders for Health, a nonprofit organization that addresses the problem of last-mile distribution by providing transportation solutions for health workers in Africa. In particular, Riders uses driver training programs, routine maintenance, and efficient spare parts management to improve vehicle uptime. The inventory and queuing model that we have developed of Riders’ fleet management program was informed by numerous visits and interviews conducted over the past two years, as we set up a trial to evaluate Riders’ effectiveness. With our model, we identify Riders’ most effective initiatives as well as advise the organization on its priorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica H. McCoy, 2013. "Overcoming the Challenges of the Last Mile: A Model of Riders for Health," International Series in Operations Research & Management Science, in: Brian T. Denton (ed.), Handbook of Healthcare Operations Management, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 483-509, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:isochp:978-1-4614-5885-2_19
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5885-2_19
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    Cited by:

    1. ManMohan S. Sodhi & Christopher S. Tang, 2016. "Supply chain opportunities at the bottom of the pyramid," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 43(2), pages 125-134, June.

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