Vertical Programs (VP) refer to health initiatives targeting specific demographic populations, diseases, or health issues, often with measurable outcome objectives within a defined timeframe. These programs are usually financed by external donors for a limited period in developing countries. In the 1980s to 1990s, several vertical programs, such as Reproductive and Child Health Programs, National AIDS Control Programs, National Immunization Programs, and National TB & Leprosy Programs, were operated under the Ministry of Health in many developing countries. However, these programs were functioning individually, with separate logistics systems, which proved to be inefficient and costly due to duplication of resources.

Research in the health sector highlighted the need for a more integrated approach to reduce costs and improve efficiency. As a result, in 1996, the government decided to integrate the logistics functions of all vertical programs under the management of the Medical Stores Department (MSD). This integration included:

1. Coordination of Procurement:Consolidating the procurement process for medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory reagents.
2. Storage and Distribution:Centralizing the storage and distribution of essential medical supplies across all programs.
3. Managing Receipts:Handling the receipts of medical supplies and laboratory reagents from various development partners such as Global Fund, UNICEF, World Health Organization (WHO), and USAID.
4. Stock Management:Providing timely stock status reports to the different health programs and development partners.

This approach helped streamline operations and reduce costs while improving the supply chain for life-saving medicines. Through collaboration with international organizations like the Global Fund, USAID, and WHO, the Vertical Program gained access to vital funding and support for procuring and distributing medicines, especially for diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

The success of this integration can be seen in the following achievements over recent years:

• Procurement Success:Over the past three years, the Vertical Program successfully procured commodities worth USD 56,840,968.53, representing 99.5% of the total planned procurement.
• Distribution of Mosquito Nets:The program distributed over 27 million mosquito nets in various campaigns aimed at protecting marginalized populations from malaria.

By improving the coordination, procurement, and distribution of essential medical supplies, the Vertical Programs have enhanced their capacity to respond effectively to public health needs, ensuring timely delivery of critical commodities to vulnerable populations.