In Guinea-Bissau, a transformative initiative is reshaping the country’s healthcare delivery system. For years, ensuring that life-saving medicines reached both urban clinics and remote villages was a major challenge. A $3.5 million investment led by UNDP, with support from the Global Fund and partners including UN-Habitat, is addressing these gaps, advancing the country toward Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being by strengthening health systems nationwide.
Central to this transformation is the Smart Warehouse-in-a-Box, a digital, solar-powered facility that enhances the national health system from the ground up. The warehouse enables real-time inventory tracking, temperature-controlled cold rooms, and smart dashboards, allowing the Central Medical Store (CECOME) to monitor medicines and vaccines remotely. Thousands of pallets of essential drugs for malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and maternal health are stored and prepared for distribution. Powered by a 200KW solar system with backup generators, energy-efficient air conditioning, and lighting, the facility ensures uninterrupted operations even during electricity outages.
The warehouse combines cutting-edge logistics and operational safety with advanced infrastructure. Forklifts, heavy machinery, thermal insulation, rolling doors, and incinerators work together to protect medicines, safeguard workers, and ensure transparent, accountable operations. The facility’s design supports both storage and distribution, maintaining international standards and enabling timely delivery of critical medicines across the country.
The digital and technological sophistication of the warehouse allows precise stock management and real-time monitoring. Temperature and humidity sensors continuously track conditions, sending alerts if thresholds are exceeded, while cold rooms maintain vaccines and sensitive medicines between 2°C and 8°C. The system flags medicines nearing expiry, supporting a zero-expiry policy. Waste management is handled according to international standards, ensuring safety and sustainability.
By combining smart technology, renewable energy, and strategic investment, Guinea-Bissau is building a resilient, transparent, and future-ready healthcare system. This initiative ensures that communities facing malaria, tuberculosis, or maternal health emergencies receive timely and reliable medical supplies, demonstrating how innovation can meet urgent healthcare needs.
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