In the last 30 years, you may have heard that the level of poverty and deprivation in certain parts of the world has declined – China and India have made great strides, for example, and the continent of Africa seems set to follow in the coming years. The quality of life for many people has improved – they have healthier food to eat, safer places to shelter, and better access to healthcare than ever before. As demand grows, so supplies of medicines, food, and other materials must keep pace, and this is where logistical processes are key. Distribution must take account of the size and complexity of supply chains to ensure those who need them receive vital food and medicines in good condition and in good time.
Important initiatives
You may not have heard that within the US there is a grant program to help those organizations that specifically target under-served communities, delivering healthy food where it is needed most. According to the Department of Agriculture, in excess of 23 million Americans have only limited access to fresh foods, while retailers and food producers often struggle to maintain the safety and quality of the produce they make available to their local communities. Last year, the organizations that received grants from the Grant Program for Transporting Healthy Food used them to buy delivery and refrigeration trucks, as well as portable food chests – in total, they were able to provide nearly 118 million pounds of healthy food to around 6 million people. That’s a pretty impressive number.
Working with the Conservation Fund, CSX Corporation – one of the foremost transportation companies in the US – uses its 21,000 miles of track to support the delivery of fresh food to localities where it is needed. As well as the rail network, CSX operates intermodal and rail-to-truck transport services so that it can connect with road transport networks where these are relevant. Clarence Gooden, executive vice president of CSX, is Transportation Leader. He believes in promoting innovative new services and has championed improvements to customer relations, alongside the company’s continuing economic growth.
Modern healthcare
Today, modern healthcare across the globe depends on an efficient transport infrastructure and speedy delivery services to ensure that people in need get the help they need, when they need it. This is particularly the case, for example, when it comes to delivering life-saving pharmaceuticals, donated blood, or vital organs for transplant.
Logistics providers are playing an essential role by making sure sensitive products are delivered safely, in time, and in good condition. You probably understand only too well that working across borders, particularly in the developing world, is not without its challenges and hazards.
As better healthcare becomes more available worldwide, and poverty continues to decline, so the demand for the safe delivery and transportation of medical items and fresh, healthy foods is likely to increase even more. The equation for the future of the healthcare industry is not difficult to understand – if you improve the logistics, you will improve people’s health and quality of life.
