Raipur: Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSCL) is successfully implementing a GPS-based tracking system for medicine delivery, enhancing supply chain efficiency. The system enables real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments from warehouses to health facilities. CGMSCL emphasizes transparency and security in deliveries, highlighting the commitment to exceptional service, reliability, and transparency.
Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSCL) is responsible for procuring and distributing quality-tested drugs and medical equipment to government health facilities, aiming to improve the health of the people in Chhattisgarh. CGMSCL has now taken a significant step to enhance its supply chain by implementing a GPS-based tracking system for medicine delivery.
CGMSCL supplies lifesaving drugs and essential consumables to over 1,300 health facilities. These include Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), District Hospitals (DHs), and Medical College Hospitals. The distribution network is supported by 16 strategically located warehouses covering all 33 districts in the state. A total of 44 vehicles used for medicine distribution have been GPS-enabled and can now be monitored online.
Nickson, the Store In-charge of CHC, Berla in Bemetra, shared that he previously had to contact the warehouse manager in Kabirdham to check on the dispatch of his indented items. Now, he receives mobile alerts as soon as the goods leave the warehouse. This information allows him to track the delivery vehicle on a map without needing to contact the warehouse or driver. He logs into the newly launched application to monitor the vehicle’s movement, see the number of items being delivered, and estimate the delivery time, allowing him to plan and prepare accordingly.
Deepak Lanjhee, Assistant Manager of the Drug Warehouse in Kabirdham, added, “Necessary steps can be taken if there is undue halt or deviation in the route of the vehicle. Earlier one had to call up the driver to check on the location of vehicle and the store in-charge to verify deliveries this information is now available online.”
One of CGMSCL’s key objectives is to ensure that the right medicines are available at the right place and time. Over the years, CGMSCL has taken several initiatives to strengthen its supply chain. This includes enhancing its in-house software, DPDMIS (Drug Procurement and Distribution Management Information Systems), increasing the efficiency of its warehouses, and operating its own vehicles for medical supplies.
By using its own vehicles, CGMSCL avoids reliance on private operators for dispatches, thereby allowing for more convenient scheduling of deliveries. This approach also helps in controlling operational costs to a large extent. However, obtaining the status of deliveries and vehicle locations previously required contacting the drivers directly.
Warehouse managers had to rely on the drivers for information on actual kilometers run and time taken to complete deliveries. To overcome these challenges, the GPS tracking system was deployed.
CGMSCL has mandated the installation of GPS-enabled devices on all its delivery vehicles. The integration of GPS data with the DPDMIS application enables real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments from warehouses to health facilities. This system allows for exact location tracking and estimating the approximate delivery time. It provides shipment details and enables management to take corrective actions in case of delays, breakdowns, or route deviations.
In Chhattisgarh, many health facilities are located in remote, hilly, or forested areas. To supply medicines to these facilities, CGMSCL vehicles must traverse difficult terrain where mobile network coverage is poor or absent. Previously, estimating delivery times to such locations was challenging due to limited communication with drivers. The new GPS system allows for continuous tracking of delivery vehicles, even in areas with poor or no mobile network, enabling easy estimation of delivery times.
“The CGMSCL’s GPS-based vehicle tracking system is revolutionary as it brings transparency in the system and aids store in-charges, warehouse managers and top management with features like real-time tracking through CGMSCL’s user-friendly tracking interface on the website or mobile application, the GPS tracking system provides accurate Estimated Times of Arrival (ETA), allowing store incharges to plan their schedules accordingly and be prepared for the arrival of their packages, and GPS tracking can provide proof of delivery by recording the exact time and location of delivery. This helps in maintaining transparency regarding delivery status,” stated CGMSCL Managing Director.
She added, “The GPS tracking system enhances the security of deliveries by providing constant monitoring and alerts for any deviations from the planned route. By optimising delivery routes and monitoring vehicle performance, it helps streamline operations and faster delivery of medicines. It enables us to analyse data and identify areas for improvement in delivery operations. Ultimately, it helps eliminate inefficiencies, streamline our operations and optimise costs. Urgent deliveries of life-saving drugs and critically stocked out medicines can be prioritised and effectively tracked to reach the required location at the earliest.”
