In 2012, SIAPS supported the Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) in conducting a five-year (2012-2016) forecasting exercise for reproductive health commodities and built the technical capacity of DGFP officials to manage the forecasting processes and analyze the FP2020 indicators pertinent to stock availability. SIAPS also assisted DGFP in forming the multi-stakeholder Forecasting Working Group (FWG) to annually review needs and facilitate data-informed procurement decisions. The FWG uses data collected through information management platforms and conducts quantification exercises on the basis of the consumption of RH/FP commodities. The 2012 forecasting exercise helped DGFP avoid redundant procurement decisions by using good-quality logistics data and saved money. However, after 2016, it had to be updated with the latest data. Therefore, at USAID’s request, SIAPS worked with FWG and developed another five-year (2017-2021) forecast of RH commodities to enable evidence-based contraceptive procurement decisions. The goal is to optimize a data driven procurement system and minimize losses through expiry from overstocking.
