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Medical and Humanitarian Logistics in Disaster Settings: Preparedness and Response
September 11 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Every year over the past two decades, approximately 350 to 450 natural disasters have struck around the globe. Each of these events causes an economic loss of at least $50 million, an insured loss of $25 million, 10 or more fatalities, 50 injuries, or damage to a minimum of 2,000 structures. In 2023, Africa, Europe and the Middle East experienced the highest number of disasters. [Source]
The perennial occurrence of disasters in various forms and their consequent destruction to lives and properties highlight the critical role of medical and humanitarian logistics. Logisticians in medical and humanitarian fields ensure the availability and timely delivery of essential medicines and equipment and support rapid response and relief efforts.
Lt. Col. Solomon Ocran, who will speak on Sept. 11 as part of our Distinguished Lecture Series, has been practising in the field of medical and humanitarian logistics for 15 years. He has served as a pharmacist and medical logistics officer at hospitals in Ghana as well as Chad, Congo, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Liberia and South Sudan.
In his lecture, Ocran will talk about how medical and humanitarian logistics are essential for ensuring that health care systems are prepared to respond to emergencies. Managing the availability of pharmaceuticals; medical/surgical supplies, devices and equipment; consumables and other products plays a critical role in preparedness and response when disasters strike.
About the Speaker
Lt. Col. Solomon Ocran is the officer-in-charge of the Medical Stores and Equipment Depot of the Ghana Armed Forces. He leads a team of 75 staff including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, procurement officers, supply officers and medical stores men. The facility he leads is involved in medical logistics procurement, warehousing and distribution.
Previously, Ocran was deputy chief pharmacist for the Ghana Armed Forces. He has over 20 years of experience as a pharmacist managing medical commodities both locally and abroad.
Ocran also is a facilitator in the course Logistics Support in Peace-Keeping Operations (Medical) at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre. He holds an MBA in health services administration and an MSc in logistics and supply chain management, the latter from KNUST.