The Supply Chain Alternatives for the Last Mile Equity (SCALE) project, led by inSupply Health, has launched a toll-free support line for Community Health Assistants (CHAs) and Community Health Volunteers ( CHVs) who use cStock. The line is expected to help users with login issues and dashboard navigation problems, providing them with a central place for support, which will eventually increase long-term data reporting.
The support services will be provided at no cost Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EAT, to ensure CHAs and CHVs’ needs are addressed. The toll-free number will also provide potential and interested partners as well as Ministry of Health officers involved in cStock implementation with access to the most up-to-date information on how to increase access to health commodities through cStock.
To date, cStock users have seen great impact in their Community Distribution Units following the implementation of the mobile technology. CHVs have increased data visibility and data use for decision making across arid and semi-arid counties such as Turkana, Samburu, Mandera, and Wajir, with routine monthly reporting to cStock averaging 78-98 %.
The new 0800721355 support line platform is envisioned to increase the use of cStock application and build credibility for users as a result of reduced response time from cStock support teams, which was previously provided through the Community Health Unit WhatsApp groups.
The number will also be used to inform users on how to submit monthly logistics reports and resupply in order to inform decision-making in regards to commodity availability and stock-outs. For more complex questions, the caller will be transferred to the best person to respond in a timely manner. The goal is to answer cStock users’ questions in real-time without having users incur call charges and to have a transparent support service that responds to questions efficiently to enable diagnostics and feedback through one-on-one assistance.
cStock app currently has 3548 CHVs using the mobile technology.