A Review of Procurement Practices of Regional Blood Centres for Complex Equipment and Consumables

Abstract

Access to accurate, safe, and adequate diagnostics and dependable laboratory services is vital for diagnosis, surveillance, and ensuring a safe supply of blood. However, testing results are only of value to those making clinical conclusions if the test results reported are well-timed and correct. Selection and procurement of diagnostics and laboratory technologies are time and again challenging due to the extensive choice of products and suppliers in the global market. A study was commissioned to review the current procurement practices for complex equipment and consumables to enable Regional Blood Centres to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the "purchase" and the "lease" model and to make an informed decision between both models. The study is expected to provide practical guidance on negotiation strategies with vendors and describe the procedures that Health Departments must follow to lease equipment or procure consumables for purchased equipment. The study concluded that the rental model is already implemented successfully in all provinces at various blood banks and laboratories. Reagent rental and cost-per-test contracts with diagnostic manufacturers provide a viable solution to the challenges of high capital investments saving a huge amount of financial resources.