Performance Evaluation Of Medical Supplies Transformation To A National Unified Procurement Company In Saudi Arabia: Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

To assess the level of Beneficiaries` Satisfaction toward the National Unified Procurement Company "NUPCO" for providing and delivering medicine, medical equipment, and supplies to public healthcare facilities, and to explore the benefits, barriers, and factors associated with the transformation of medical supply to the Unified Procurement. Method: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study design was conducted in Riyadh, Eastern, Passim, Al Baha, and Western regions of Saudi Arabia. Result: Importantly, some of the investigated aspects had more desirable outcomes, including timely delivery of items and space in warehouses. However, the findings indicated numerous challenges that NUPCO experiences, such as appropriate assessment and realizing of the actual need or consideration of storekeepers’ opinions, as well as differences across regions and facilities used in inventory management with the orders varying in size across different hospitals in the country. Recommendations: Create a foundation for policymakers and healthcare administrators to address and optimize the work of NUPCO, making the medical supply procurement organization function as effectively as possible. This will eliminate some disparities in organizations’ availability and ensure that the kingdom healthcare services can be delivered at their highest level.