Relationship between poor documentation and effective inventory control at provincial ministry of health, Lahore

• Main Authors: Hardayanna, Abd Rahman, Noor Aina Amirah, Mohd Noor, Aamir, Rashid
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: JS Local government Municipal government
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/895/1/FH03-FESP-18-13047.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/895/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND Previously, inventory management was not seriously treated and vagueness during planning, execution, controlling in supply chain networks led the firms headed for bullwhip (Lewise, 2006). Moreover, on balance sheet it appears as the largest asset item (Kelebu, 2013). Furthermore, health-care facilities progressively adopting inventory management systems to enhance performance, customer service and operational efficiency (Radzuan, et al., 2014). Subsequently, due to expensive inventories, it is imperative to avoid superfluous costs by aligning the inventory control (James, 2013). In budget 2015-16, the Provincial Ministry of Health, Lahore allocated colossal amount of 168 billion Pakistani Rupees for healthcare (Malik, 2016); whereas in December 2015, an audit report discovered Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Lahore with expired critical medicines and accessories (The News, 2015). Stocked-out in 98 out of 145 hospitals for Hepatitis C (HVC); and gynecology department and emergency department of each facility was found stocked-out with critical curative medicines, accessories, or equipments (Jamali, 2015). The Ministry was compelled to go with hasty buying with expensive options and superfluous costs of worth 5.6 billion Pakistani Rupees in lieu of expired medicines at PIC and 80 million Pakistani Rupees for HCV vaccination (The News, 2015). Therefore, the study will establish a relationship between poor documentation and efficient inventory control at Provincial Ministry of Health, Lahore. Moreover, the key area of this study would emphasize on unavailability of adequate stationeries/stores records, unscheduled stock taking practices, and delay in posting stores records which hinders effective inventory. The researcher will also focus that too much red tape and rigid rules should be avoided as current inventory control practices and procedures need to be reviewed and redesigned due to superfluous costs. Moreover, integrated systems through information technology will also get attention as the inadequate stock procedures must be avoided for strict compliance of inventory related Ministry’s policies and regulations.