A review of the role of supply chain management in hospital operations: A case study of healthcare institutions in Sokoto State
- Project Research
- 1-5 Chapters
- Abstract : Available
- Table of Content: Available
- Reference Style:
- Recommended for :
- NGN 5000
Background of the study
Supply chain management (SCM) plays a vital role in the effective operation of healthcare institutions, including hospitals. In an increasingly complex healthcare environment, the efficient management of the flow of goods, services, and information is crucial for delivering high-quality care. Effective SCM can significantly improve a hospital's operational performance, ensuring that medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment, and services are readily available when needed, thus enhancing the overall patient experience (Zhou et al., 2023). Hospitals in Nigeria, including those in Sokoto State, face several challenges related to SCM, such as poor infrastructure, inadequate technology, and limited human resource capacity. These factors can lead to inefficiencies, shortages of medical supplies, delayed patient care, and increased operational costs (Adeniran et al., 2023).
Despite the critical role of SCM in hospital operations, research on the specific challenges and best practices within Nigerian hospitals remains limited. While hospitals worldwide have adopted various SCM models to improve performance, there is a lack of tailored approaches that consider the unique socio-economic and infrastructural challenges faced by Nigerian healthcare institutions (Ogunyemi & Adedeji, 2024). In Sokoto State, where the healthcare system is constrained by limited resources, improving SCM practices could significantly reduce waste, enhance service delivery, and increase operational efficiency.
The growing need for effective SCM in Nigerian hospitals aligns with broader global trends emphasizing the importance of logistics in healthcare settings (Ibidun et al., 2025). As hospitals face increasing pressure to reduce costs while maintaining quality care, understanding and optimizing SCM processes will be key to achieving sustainability and improving patient outcomes.
Statement of the problem
Hospital operations in Sokoto State have been hindered by inefficiencies in supply chain management, which affect the timely delivery of medical supplies and essential services. Poorly managed supply chains contribute to delays in treatment, stockouts of vital medications, and overall operational inefficiencies, ultimately impacting the quality of care delivered to patients. These inefficiencies have been attributed to a combination of outdated systems, lack of training for personnel, and insufficient funding for SCM infrastructure (Tijani et al., 2023). The gap in the literature also reveals a lack of comprehensive studies examining the specific challenges of supply chain management in Sokoto's healthcare institutions, which hinders targeted interventions to resolve these problems.
Moreover, given the regional disparities in Nigeria's healthcare system, there is an urgent need to explore how healthcare institutions in Sokoto can adopt better SCM practices that are tailored to their local context. This study seeks to address these gaps by critically reviewing the role of SCM in Sokoto's hospitals and identifying specific challenges that impede effective hospital operations.
Objectives of the study
-
To evaluate the role of supply chain management in enhancing hospital operations in Sokoto State.
-
To identify the challenges faced by hospitals in Sokoto State in managing their supply chains effectively.
-
To propose solutions for improving SCM practices in Sokoto’s healthcare institutions to enhance operational efficiency.
Research questions
-
What is the role of supply chain management in improving hospital operations in Sokoto State?
-
What are the major challenges faced by hospitals in Sokoto State in managing their supply chains?
-
What strategies can be implemented to improve supply chain management in Sokoto’s healthcare institutions?
Research hypotheses
-
Effective supply chain management significantly improves hospital operations in Sokoto State.
-
Poor infrastructure and lack of training are the major challenges affecting supply chain management in Sokoto hospitals.
-
The adoption of advanced SCM practices will enhance operational efficiency in Sokoto’s healthcare institutions.
Scope and limitations of the study
The study will focus on hospitals in Sokoto State, examining the specific challenges and best practices related to supply chain management within these institutions. The study is limited to hospitals in Sokoto, which may not be fully representative of other regions in Nigeria. Furthermore, the research will primarily rely on qualitative data gathered through interviews and case studies, limiting the breadth of the findings.
Definitions of terms
-
Supply Chain Management (SCM): The coordination and management of activities involved in the production, transportation, and distribution of goods and services from suppliers to customers.
-
Hospital Operations: The administrative and clinical activities involved in the functioning of a healthcare institution.
-
Stockouts: A situation where a hospital runs out of a necessary medical supply or medication, potentially delaying patient treatment.
Related Project Materials
the-effect-of-classroom-management-on-the-academic-achievement-of-pupils-in-primay-schools-a-case-study-of-some-selected-primary-schools-in-odeda-l
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Classroom management is the heart of any educational system. No curriculum Planning is complete...
Implementation of a High-Throughput Sequencing Data Analysis Pipeline: A Case Study of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, Adamawa State
Background of the Study
The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has revolutionized genomic research by...
INVESTIGATING INNOVATIONS IN ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUPPORTING DIVERSE VOCATIONAL LEARNERS
ABSTRACT: Innovations in Adaptive Technologies for Supporting Diverse Vocational Learners explore advancements in adaptive technologies aimed at im...
THE CHALLENGES FACED BY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES IN ABUJA
EXCERPT FROM THE STUDY
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC, 2010) in its research monograph "Road Mirror‟ found tha...
An Investigation into the Impact of Workload on the Performance of Emergency Nurses in Gombe State
Background of the Study
Workload is a critical factor affecting the performance, efficiency, and well...
An investigation of the effects of distance learning on students’ social interactions in tertiary institutions in Birnin Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State.
Background of the Study
Distance learning has revolutionized the tertiary education landscape, offering flexible learning opportunities t...
AN EXAMINATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED MARKETING ON LOCAL BUSINESS GROWTH: A STUDY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD CAFÉ IN ENUGU, NIGERIA.
Background of the study:
Community-based marketing focuses on building strong relationships with local customers and leveraging communal net...
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EATING BREAKFAST AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY FROM WURO HAUSA PRIMARY SCHOOL YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
Adequate nutrition is essential for a healthy growth. Research has shown how important it is for a child to have the necessary n...
Comparative Study of the Adoption of Mobile Learning in Rural and Urban Secondary Schools in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State
Background of the study
Mobile learning, or m-learning, refers to the use of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet...
DETERMINATION OF PROXIMATE AND MINERAL ANALYSIS OF THE SEED BLACK AFRICAN OLIVE CANNARIUM SCHWINFURTHI LINN
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The early man subsisted on wild game, fruits, and luscious herbage, which allow...
