Supply Chain Management in Hospitals and H1N1 Crisis in KSA A Report

Introduction In recent years, the provision of products and services required by customers in KSA has been inefficient especially in hospitals. This means that there is need for the introduction of supply chain management and logistics in these hospitals. This report will look at supply chain management within the context of H1N1 crisis in KSA. To this end, the author will look at SCM in hospitals and how this could have managed the crisis.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Supply Chain Management in Hospitals and H1N1 Crisis in KSA: A specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thesis: Supply chain management in hospitals could have been used to effectively address the H1N1 crisis in KSA. Conclusion When customer’s demands increase the focus is on the supply chain managers. The process of improving the supply chain management system in hospitals has started on a poor note in Saudi Arabia and this is affecting the cou ntry in many ways. H1N1 Crisis in KSA Reporting on the First Case The first case of H1N1 in KSA was reported on 3rd June 2008 on a tourist from the Philippines. Each day, there are new infections in KSA despite the fact that most countries in the world have been able to overcome the epidemic. By the end of 2009, Saudi authorities had confirmed 15850 cases of H1N1 infections in the country (Almazroa, Memish Alwadey, 2010). The number of recorded deaths as a result of the virus stood at 124 (Almazroa et al., 2010). This means that there must be something unique about KSA which makes it report such cases when other countries in the world are reporting cases of success in fighting the epidemic. Predisposing Factors to H1N1 in KSA It is believed that there is inadequate or inaccurate information available regarding this epidemic. This being the case, there has been an increase in the spread of the disease. This is for example given the fact that women wearing a veil do not usually wear a gas mask to avoid contracting the virus. Given the fact that Saudi Arabia is the famous Hajj destination, it becomes clear that the issue of endemics such as H1N1 cannot be taken lightly considering that Hajj attracts many people from different parts of the world (Almazroa et al., 2010). Another factor which puts the country at risk of H1N1 is the fact that the country attracts a huge number of expatriates from different parts of the world (Almazroa et al., 2010)Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In countries such as the United States of America, the first strategy adopted in handling the H1N1 crisis was reducing the impacts the disease had on the nation. However, the case is different in Saudi Arabia given the lack of vaccines, delay in treatment, enough hospital beds, masks and other protective gear. Apparently, the pharmaceutical industry could not provide the hospitals with enough vaccines for the whole population due to inadequate supply. The poor supply chain system in the hospitals is to blame for the inability to provide such services, making Saudi Arabia unable to respond to the epidemic effectively. Just before Hajj, Saudi Arabian authorities were trying to find a way to prevent the spread of the pandemic. They decided that the only way to overcome this was to ban some people from participating in the pilgrimage. These were groups such as children and senior citizens. The authorities also decided that the administration of flu vaccines and the use of protective gears like masks was another way to deal with the crisis. Application of SCM in Hospitals During the H1N1 Crisis Inefficiencies in the Hospital’s Supply Chain Management Supply chain management is a difficult and complicated undertaking to any contemporary organization (Chandra Grabis, 2007: p. 17). It can be defined as the â€Å"†¦..coordination (and management) of busi nesses and processes involved in producing and delivering a product or service† (Arizona State University [Arizona], 2010: p.8). Parray Kadri (2007) refers to a hospital supply chain management as â€Å"†¦..a set of approaches to efficiently integrate suppliers or vendors, transport and hospital services to achieve total quality management in health care services† (p.3). This is by optimizing the utilization of the resources in the hospitals. SCM in hospitals plays a significant role when it comes to dealing with H1N1 crisis especially in the supply of vaccines, beds, protective gear and therapeutic drugs. This is one major way of dealing with the crisis yet in KSA the supply of vaccines is inadequate due to inefficiencies in the supply chain management system. This is significant considering the fact that many towns in KSA are characterized by overpopulation thus high vulnerability of these communities as far as H1N1 is concerned. Take for example the case of Haj j where more than 2 million pilgrims are gathered in a tiny geographical area (Almazroa et al., 2010).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Supply Chain Management in Hospitals and H1N1 Crisis in KSA: A specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lack of Modern Technology There is also the need for supply chain management systems in hospitals to use modern technology to make the process of importing vaccines more efficient. This will ensure that the process of packaging and transporting the vaccines is more efficient than it is now. The adoption of modern technology will ensure that the vaccines reach the consumers in time. For instance, more vaccines should be available during Hajj and other festivities. This can be made possible if the hospitals use modern technology in their SCM and pay attention to the principles of SCM discussed below. This will include computerizing the whole process of procuring and distributing goods a nd services to hospitals. These are goods like beds, vaccines and other drugs and also importation of trained personnel like doctors who are scarce in KSA. DeScioli (2001: p12) proposes the use of Automated Point of Use System (APU) in computerizing HSCM. Such a system is composed of a device that is placed in various wards from where the practitioners are able to key in the supplies they need. This can be adopted in KSA where the doctors and nurses are able to key in the vaccines they need to address H1N1 cases. Stark Mangione (2004) propose the introduction of modern tools and processes such as â€Å"eSourcing, eAuctions, RF Technologies, Automated Data Retrieval† (p. 13) among others in addressing efficiency of HSCM. Research and Development in the Industry The hospital industry in KSA is ill equipped when it comes to research and development. This is especially so considering that H1N1 keeps evolving into new strains that vary from one country to the other based on the p revailing factors. KSA cannot depend on other countries to invent new vaccines for them to deal with the crisis. Neither should the government expect the citizens to travel in search of drugs in hospitals from other countries. Supply chain management applies here when it comes to the manufacture and importation of research equipments for the hospitals. The supply chain management system can be used to make sure that the scientists working in various referral and research hospitals in this country have the right equipment and the right supplies to carry out the research.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Supply Chain Interruptions After the first case of H1N1 infection was recorded, many companies closed down businesses to avoid the spread of infections for example in Mexico where it is believed to have started. This interrupted the supply chain management systems in hospitals because goods imported from Mexico could not be found. Most hospitals in Saudi Arabia rely on goods and services from other countries around the world. This interruption in the supply chain system made hospitals in this country incapable of fighting the epidemic. Supply Chain Management systems in hospitals should be modified such that they are able to deal with such interruptions. In other words, the supply chain management system should be versatile enough to overcome the challenges brought about by interruptions. Principles of SCM in KSA Hospitals Segmenting Customers Based on their Needs This is basically identifying your customers’ needs and being able to provide all the goods and services they nee d in a one stop shop fashion in order to maximize benefits. In other words, this means that the supply chain management in hospitals should be able to cater for all the needs of the client from one platform if possible. For example, the supply chain management system should be able to provide the scientist in the hospital with the equipments they need to carry out the research as well as distributing the vaccines developed by these scientists to the patients in the hospital. Customizing the Logistics Network Some hospitals have modified their logistics network in such a way that it can only address a single issue. This is for example modifying the supply chain management system in such a way that it addresses only the supply and distribution of drugs only. It is noted that this may not be an effective way of providing goods and services to the hospitals. It is also not the best way to maximize profits for the hospitals. The hospitals can provide services that go hand in hand, comple menting each other. For example, manufacturing and delivering H1N1 vaccines instead of importing them, manufacture of hospital beds, using locally available materials to build more operating rooms among others. Forecasting Demand and Planning Accordingly Understanding your customers, making reasonable assumptions and using various measuring techniques to gauge the demand for the services and goods by the customers are important. This will help in forecasting the demand of certain goods and services thereby making it possible to plan on how to deliver them. For example, the supply chain management experts in the hospitals are able to determine the demand for influenza drugs in a given season. With this forecast, the hospital will then make plans to ensure that the drugs are available when needed. Managing Sources of Supplies To maximize profits, hospitals should endeavor to pay as little as possible for supplies. This means that they should make efforts to reduce the costs of the sup plies. Most hospitals have no idea how to manage their supply sources. This is especially so considering that such hospitals fail to keep track of the raw materials bought and where they have been sourced from. Supply chain management systems can address this by identifying the sources of the materials and keeping track of the costs incurred in the process. Recommendations Putting the Principles into Practice From studies conducted in the past, it was concluded that there is no single hospital in Saudi Arabia that has succeeded in the supply chain management and logistics industry. Most hospitals blame this on the complexity of supply chain management industry and to the inability of the industry to carry out improvements. The industry is still facing problems and especially so in dealing with epidemics like H1N1. There is need to implement strategies in order to put the above principles into practice. This way, the country and the supply chain management fraternity would have made efforts to address the crisis once and for all. Transformation is Difficult The first thing that experts in supply chain management systems in hospitals should realize is that transformation is a difficult and long process. Normally, people resist change and this becomes a problem when it is felt that there is a need to form a completely different supply management system. This is as opposed to improving the existing supply and management system. The only way to undergo a successful and smooth transformation is by informing the affected people what you are intending to do and how you will do it. You should also inform them how the changes will affect their lives. Try also to encourage the participation of companies and members of the community by letting them try the new methods to see how effective they are to the hospital. In the process, the uncertainty surrounding the change will be a thing of the past. To this end, Stark Mangione (2004: p.9) argue that there is a disconnection between the people who are purchasing hospital supplies (such as managers) and those who are using the (such as physicians). This disconnection should be addressed by involving everyone in the decision making process. Planning in Advance Supply chain managers in hospitals should keep in mind that planning in advance is paramount in any project. The risks, maladjustments, shortcomings and positive attributes of the project should be considered. This is especially so due to the fact that we are dealing with an epidemic which is very important. In order to help people embrace change, it is important to take into consideration all the factors that have been identified in this paper. This will lead to a successful and effective supply chain management system in KSA hospitals. Conclusion There is a correlation between the improvement of supply chain management systems and financial benefits. In Saudi Arabia, not only will an improved industry help in lowering the cases of H1N1 infections , but there is also the economic aspect of it. This is where the economy will improve due to a healthy and productive work force. The urgency to fight the endemic is increasing given that there is need to safeguard the health of all citizens. References Almazroa, M. A., Memish, Z. A., Alwadey, A. M. (2010). Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Saudi Arabia: Description of the first one hundred cases. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 30(1): 11-14. Arizona State University. (2010). Reducing healthcare costs through supply chain management. Web. Chandra, C. Grabis, G. (2007). Supply chain configuration: Concepts, solutions and applications. New York: Springer Science. DeScioli, D. T. (2001). Differentiating the hospital supply chain for enhanced performance. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, June 2001. Parray, S. H., Kadri, S. M. (2007). Supply chain management in healthcare sector-Role of logistics. Indian Journal for the Practicing Doctor, 4(1): 3-4. Stark, E., Mangione, T. (2004). Top i ssues facing the hospital supply chain today. Healthcare Purchasing News, November 2004. This report on Supply Chain Management in Hospitals and H1N1 Crisis in KSA: A was written and submitted by user KittyPryde to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Relevance of public sector enterprise Essay Example

Relevance of public sector enterprise Essay Example Relevance of public sector enterprise Essay Relevance of public sector enterprise Essay The Five Year Plan and other official documents also use the term Public Sector in the wider sense to cover all governmental activities, including public industrial and commercial enterprises. The theory that if the government is kept out of the business, it would automatically provide the community with all it desired, without any plan or conscious planning opened the door to the devil has long ago been exploded . Government intervention in the economic system for social and economic reasons is now clearly accepted and has come to stay. Governments all over the world, particularly in developing countries, have gone far beyond the indicative planning to price, wage, and numerous other controls and to state entrepreneurship. Radical transformation from a purely agrarian economy to en of the important industrialized nations of the world, and demolishing of a regimented structured society to one based on social justice, would not have been possible without the emphasis which has been laid on the growth and development of Pu bill Enterprises. Public enterprises were created in most countries to accelerate economic and social development. Yet, increasing evidence indicates that most public enterprises either do not contribute strongly to development or perform their public service functions ineffectively or inefficiently. Policy makers engage in intuition debates over whether or not state-owned corporations contribute to economic and social development, why so many have failed to deliver effectively the services for which they were created, and how their management can be improved. As state earlier, the business units owned, managed and controlled by the central, state or local government are termed as public sector enterprises or public enterprises. These are also known as public sector undertakings. A public sector enterprise may be defined as any commercial or industrial undertaking owned and managed by the government with a view to maximize social welfare and uphold the public interest. Public enterprises consist of nationalized private sector enterprises, such as, banks, Life Insurance Corporation of India and the new enterprises set up by the government such as Hindustan Machine Tools (HIM), Gas Authority of India (GAIL), State Trading Corporation (SST) etc. Government Ownership and Management: The public enterprises are owned and managed by the central or state government, or by the local authority. The government may either wholly own the public enterprises or the ownership may partly be with the government and partly with the private industrialists and the public. Financed from Government Funds: The public enterprises get their capital from Government Funds and the government has to make provision for their capital in its budget. Public Welfare: Public enterprises are not guided by profit motive. Their major focus is on providing the service or commodity at reasonable prices. Public Utility Services: Public sector enterprises concentrate on providing public utility services like transport, electricity, telecommunication etc. Public Accountability: Public enterprises are governed by public policies formulated by the government ND are accountable to the legislature. Excessive Formalities: The government rules and regulations force the public enterprises to observe excessive formalities in their operations. This makes the task of management very sensitive and cumbersome. Difference between Private and Public Sector Enterprises By private sector, we mean, economic and social activities undertaken privately by a single individual or group of individuals. They prefer to do business in private sector basically to earn profit. On the other hand public sector refers to economic and social activities undertaken by public authorities. The enterprises in public sector are set up with the main aim of protecting public interest. Profit earning comes next. Besides the difference in the objective, the enterprises in both these sectors also differ in many other aspects. Forms of Organization of Public Enterprises There are three different forms of organization used for the public sector enterprises in India. These are 1. Departmental Undertaking; 2. Statutory (or Public) Corporation 3. Government Company. Departmental Undertaking form of organization is primarily used for provision of essential services such as railways, postal services, broadcasting etc. Such organizations function under the overall control of a ministry of the government and are financed and controlled in the same way as any other government department. This form is considered suitable for activities where the government desires to have control over them in view of the public interest. Statutory Corporation (or public corporation) refers to a corporate body created by the Parliament or State Legislature by a special Act, which define its powers, functions and pattern of management. Statutory corporation is also known as public corporation. Its capital is wholly provided y the government. Importance of Public Sector Enterprises There are only some selected areas in which the government establishes its enterprises for a balanced development of the economy and promote public welfare. There are several areas where huge investment of capital is necessary but the margin of profit is either meager or it can be obtained only after a long period as in case of generation and supply of electricity, machine building construction of dams, etc. The private businessmen hesitate to establish their enterprises in these areas but they cannot be neglected in public interest. As such these enterprises are established and run by the government. Similarly the public enterprises also help in balanced regional development by promoting industries in every part of the country. Industrial progress is of utmost importance for the development of the country and for this, it is necessary that some basic industries like oil, coal, gas, iron, steel, production of heavy electrical goods, etc. , are to be fully developed. Public enterprises give impetus to the development of these basic industries and also help in the development of the private sector with their products and services. There are some industries which require heavy capital investment on account of technical reasons. Electricity, power, production of gas, heavy machinery tools, production of telephone etc. Are such industries. The development of public enterprises also prevents concentration of economic power in the hands of an individual, or a group of individuals. Not only that, the public enterprises can help in red icing inequalities with the help of various policies like utilizing the earned profits in public welfare activities and by selling raw material to the small scale industries at lower r icers. It is also necessary for the economic progress of a country that industries which can decrease imports and increase exports are only promoted. Public enterprises also ensure promotion of such industries. The public enterprises ensure necessary resources are made available to all at fair prices. The security of the country is supreme. There should be no compromise in ensuring this. The production of fighter airplanes, arms and ammunition etc, connected with the security of the country is put under the domain of Public Enterprises for this purpose. Thus, public welfare planned economic development of the country, regional balance, import substitution and checking concentration Of economic powers are the major goals achieved through public enterprises. Role and Rationale of Public Enterprises The public sector has been playing a vital role in the economic development of the country. In fact the public sector has come to occupy such an important place in our economy that on its effective performance depends largely the achievement of the countrys economic and social goals. Public sector is considered a powerful engine of economic development and an important instrument of self-reliance. The main contributions of public enterprises to the countrys economy may be described as follows: 1. Filling of gaps At the time of independence, there existed serious gaps in the industrial structure of the country, particularly in the field of heavy industries. Basic and key industries require huge capital investment, involve considerable risk and suffer from long gestation periods. Private sector concerns do not come forward to establish such industries. Public sector has helped to fill up these gaps. The basic infrastructure required for rapid industrialization has been lilt up, through the production of strategic capital goods. The public sector has considerably widened the industrial base of the country and speeded up the pace of industrialization. 2. Employment Public sector has created millions of jobs to tackle the unemployment problem in the country. Public sector accounts for about two-third of the total employment in the organized industrial sector in India. By taking over many sick units, the public sector has protected the employment of millions. Public sector has also contributed a lot towards the improvement of working and vying conditions Of workers by serving as a model employer. . Balanced regional development Private industries tend to concentrate in certain regions while other regions remain backward. Public sector undertakings have located their plants in backward and untraced parts of the country. These areas lacked basic industrial and civic facilities like electricity, water supply, township and manpower. Public enterprises have developed these facilities thereby bringing about complete transformation in the social-economic life of the people in these regions. Steel plants of Bilabial, Rosella and Durra; earthlier factory at Sinned, machine tool plants in Restaurants, precision instruments plants in Kraal and Restaurants, etc. , are a few examples of the development of backward regions by the public sector. 4. Optimum utilization of resources Public enterprises make better utilization of scarce resources of the country. They are big in size and able to enjoy the benefits of large scale operations. They help to eliminate wasteful completion and ensure full use of installed capacity. Optimum utilization of resources results in better and cheaper production. 5. Manipulation of surplus The profits earned by public enterprises are reinvested for expansion and diversification. Moreover, public sector concerns like banks and financial institutions mobiles scattered public savings thereby helping the process of capital formation in the country. Public enterprises earn considerable foreign exchange through exports. 6. Self reliance Public enterprises have reduced considerably the need for imports by producing new and better products within the country. These enterprises are also earning considerable amount of foreign exchange through exports. 7. Socialistic pattern of society Public sector is an instrument for realizing social objectives. Public enterprises help to check concentration of wealth and private monopolies. These enterprises can serve as powerful means of economic and social change. 8. Public welfare Public enterprises help in the establishment of a welfare state in the country. These enterprises us apply essential commodities at cheaper rates. A proper balance between demand and supply is created to protect consumers against exploitation by profit hungry businessmen. Public enterprises also protect and promote the interests Of workers. Objectives . Economic development Public enterprises were set up to accelerate the rate of economic growth in a planned manner. These enterprises have created a sound industrial base for rapid industrialization of the country. They are expected to provide infrastructure facilities for promoting balanced and diversified economic structure of development. 2. Self-reliance Another aim Of public enterprises is to promote self-reliance in strategic sectors of the national economy. For this purpose, public enterprises have been set up in transportation, communication, energy, petrol-chemicals, and there key and basic industries. . Development of backward Areas Several public enterprises were established in backward areas to reduce regional imbalances in development. Balanced development of different parts of the country is necessary for social as well as strategic reasons. 4. Employment generation Unemployment has become a serious problem in India. Public enterprises seek to offer gainful employment to millions. In order to protect jobs, several sick units in the private sector have been nationalized. 5. Economic surplus Public enterprises seek to generate and mobiles surplus for reinvestment. These enterprises earn money and mobiles public savings for industrial development. 6. Egalitarian society An important objective of public enterprises is to prevent concentration of economic power and growth of private monopolies. Public sector helps the Government to enforce social control on trade and industry for ensuring equitable distribution of goods and services. Public enterprises protect and promote small scale industries. 7. Consumer welfare public enterprises seek to protect consumers from exploitation and profiteering by ensuring supply of essential commodities at cheaper prices. They aim at stabilizing prices. 8. Public utilities Private sector is guided by profit motive. Therefore, it is reluctant to invest money in public utility services like water supply, gas, electricity, public transport. Therefore, the Government has to assume responsibility for providing such services. 9. Defense Government has to set up public enterprises for production of defense equipment. Supply of such equipment cannot be entrusted for private sector due to the need for utmost secrecy. 10. Labor welfare Public enterprises serve as model employers. They ensure welfare and social security of employees. Many public enterprises have developed townships, schools, college and hospitals for their workers. Advantages Public sector has come to assume the commanding heights of the economy. It was monopoly in railways, communication and air transport; virtual monopoly in coal mining, power generation and petroleum industry; a predominant share in banking, insurance, shipping, steel and other metals; machine tools, fertilizers, insecticides, and petrochemicals; and share in light engineering industries like drugs; textiles industries; consumer goods form break of electronic new industries, it has also been taking over old opens which became sick. Public Sector has played a significant role in the industrialization Of the country. By establishing the basic and heavy industries and providing the infrastructure, it has enabled growth of innumerable light industries and also taking over old ones which became sick. Public sector has played a significant role in the industrialization of the provid ed the virtual inputs of ushering the Green Revolution. It has also played a pioneering role in dispersing industries in various regions of the entry particularly in the backward area. It is generally recognized as a model employer providing fair wages, good working conditions and amenities, and recognizing the rights of the workers. As a result, industrial relations except in certain units and for some time past are better and the maydays lost are much less than n the private sector. 1. Balanced growth By establishing public sector enterprises, a country can develop its economy in all regions. Thus there is a balanced growth. These enterprises can be developed on economic, social and regional basis.

Project finance of power plant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Project finance of power plant - Essay Example Emerging markets have also employed the concept3. For instance, a company may want to undertake some oil exploration and extraction. The process is very expensive. The company may convince several sources to finance its project, with an agreement that upon finding the oil and extracting it, they will have a share of the proceeds. Repayment is therefore based on the success of the project and the future cash flow determines the amounts each source gets4. The principal participants project financing transaction include both national and international banks; national and international sponsors; government banks; capital markets; amongst others. The company seeking financing for the project will usually formulate a proposal that it presents to the various participants. Based on the strength of the project proposal, the company will get the funding subject to repayment terms. The terms are not fixed. They depend on the bargaining power of each of the contracting party5. The risk factor in such an arrangement is evident. The creditors lend the company undertaking the project the money not having a clear picture of whether or not they will get repaid6. They undertake a risk analysis that informs their decision to come aboard. We shall look at project financing, how it works, the risk involved and how lawyers go about addressing the risk issues and cushioning their clients from loss as much as possible. Given the complexity of a project financing transaction, the number of players involved and their nature and the amount of money invested, the risk is very high. There is need to effectively manage the risk to ensure every party is cushioned from possible losses that may arise as a result of an unforeseen circumstance. Heinz-Peter Berg provides a 7 steps risk management procedure.7 Establishing goals and context: In this step, the environment of the project is reviewed to