PUB1505
Assignment 02
Semester 2 2025
Due September 2025
, PUB1505
Assessment 02
Semester 2025
Due September 2025
Public Supply Chain Management
Establishing a Supply Chain Management Policy at the Republic of South Africa
National Department of Health
1. Introduction to Supply Chain Management in the Department of Health
As the Accounting Officer of the National Department of Health (NDoH), the
establishment of a comprehensive Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy is vital to
ensure procurement processes that are transparent, accountable, and aligned with
national health priorities. The NDoH serves as the central steward of South Africa’s
public health system, responsible for procuring medicines, vaccines, medical
equipment, and other critical supplies that sustain healthcare delivery across provinces
and facilities.
SCM in the health sector extends beyond logistics. It is a strategic instrument for
achieving systemic goals, including universal health coverage under the National Health
Insurance (NHI) framework, and for enabling rapid responses to public health
emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. An effective SCM policy therefore
constitutes not merely a managerial requirement but a national imperative, underpinning
both service delivery and socio-economic transformation.
The regulatory environment shaping SCM in South Africa is multifaceted. It draws from
constitutional mandates, legislative instruments, and policy guidelines that emphasize
fairness, cost-effectiveness, transparency, and inclusivity. This regulatory scaffolding
Assignment 02
Semester 2 2025
Due September 2025
, PUB1505
Assessment 02
Semester 2025
Due September 2025
Public Supply Chain Management
Establishing a Supply Chain Management Policy at the Republic of South Africa
National Department of Health
1. Introduction to Supply Chain Management in the Department of Health
As the Accounting Officer of the National Department of Health (NDoH), the
establishment of a comprehensive Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy is vital to
ensure procurement processes that are transparent, accountable, and aligned with
national health priorities. The NDoH serves as the central steward of South Africa’s
public health system, responsible for procuring medicines, vaccines, medical
equipment, and other critical supplies that sustain healthcare delivery across provinces
and facilities.
SCM in the health sector extends beyond logistics. It is a strategic instrument for
achieving systemic goals, including universal health coverage under the National Health
Insurance (NHI) framework, and for enabling rapid responses to public health
emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. An effective SCM policy therefore
constitutes not merely a managerial requirement but a national imperative, underpinning
both service delivery and socio-economic transformation.
The regulatory environment shaping SCM in South Africa is multifaceted. It draws from
constitutional mandates, legislative instruments, and policy guidelines that emphasize
fairness, cost-effectiveness, transparency, and inclusivity. This regulatory scaffolding
