Transforming global healthcare access through partnership
Access to essential medicines is a cornerstone of global health, yet millions of people in underserved and hard-to-reach regions remain without the treatments they need. This challenge is magnified during times of crisis, including natural disasters, pandemics, and conflicts, when healthcare systems are stretched to their limits.
Recognizing the urgent need to bridge this gap, Alloga partnered with International Health Partners (IHP), a London-based charity that coordinates the donation and distribution of life-saving medicines to vulnerable communities worldwide. This partnership, built on shared values of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to global health, has delivered hope and healing to countless individuals.
Situation
In times of crisis — whether due to pandemics, natural disasters, or conflict, vulnerable communities in hard-to-reach areas face critical challenges in accessing life-saving medicines. International Health Partners (IHP), a London-based charity, works to address this gap by coordinating the donation and distribution of essential medicines to underserved regions.
However, ensuring the timely delivery of these medicines requires a robust logistics partner capable of overcoming barriers such as disrupted transportation, limited access, and extreme environmental conditions. To meet this demand, IHP turned to Alloga UK, a trusted partner since 2012, to manage the preparation and shipment of Essential Health Packs (EHPs) — specialized kits containing vital medicines.
Over the years, the partnership has taken on increasing importance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when healthcare systems worldwide were under immense strain.
Solution
Alloga has been instrumental in addressing these challenges through its flexible logistics operations, dedicated workforce, and innovative problem-solving. The company has consistently gone above and beyond to support IHP’s mission of improving global healthcare access.
Key contributions and milestones:
Essential Health Packs (EHPs)
Each EHP contains approximately 800 treatments, including antibiotics, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and medications for chronic conditions. These packs are designed to meet the needs of communities facing humanitarian crises, such as those in refugee camps, government hospitals, and disaster zones.
- From 2016 to 2021, Alloga UK supported IHP in sending 864 EHPs to 30 countries, providing over 780,000 treatments worldwide.
- In 2023 alone, Alloga helped dispatch 180 EHPs, bringing critical medicines to regions such as Ukraine, Haiti, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Flexibility and problem-solving
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alloga UK adapted to challenging circumstances:
- Limited transport options meant repacking pallets to fit reduced cargo spaces. For example, 18 EHPs were sent to the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) despite border closures and reduced flights.
- Donated thermal blankets were used to protect medicines from extreme temperatures during transit.
Dedicated workforce
Employees from all departments volunteered their time to pick and pack donated medicines, demonstrating a shared commitment to the humanitarian mission.
Rapid response to disasters
Alloga UK has enabled IHP to respond to over 12 major disasters globally, including:
- Cyclone Idai in 2019 (Malawi): Medicines provided timely treatment to families like Loyce’s, whose three-month-old son recovered from an infection after living outside due to the cyclone.
- Conflict in Mosul, Iraq (2017): Health supplies supported displaced families like Taha and Johana, who relied on EHPs for pain medication for their daughter.
- COVID-19 Pandemic (2020): Over 4 million treatments were shipped globally during the pandemic to address urgent healthcare needs.
Outcome
The partnership between Alloga UK and International Health Partners (IHP) has had a profound and far-reaching impact on global healthcare, delivering life-saving medicines to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Since the collaboration began in 2012, Alloga UK’s unwavering support has enabled IHP to provide critical medical supplies to underserved regions facing a variety of crises, from natural disasters to armed conflicts.
In 2023 alone, Alloga UK played a pivotal role in the dispatch of 180 Essential Health Packs (EHPs)—kits containing a carefully curated range of medicines designed to address urgent healthcare needs in challenging environments. These shipments reached communities grappling with conflict in Ukraine and humanitarian emergencies in countries like Haiti, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Each EHP, containing around 800 treatments, provided relief to countless individuals and families in need.
The impact of this partnership is perhaps best illustrated through the story of 12-year-old Ifrah from Ethiopia. Ifrah, suffering from measles, received timely treatment with antibiotics delivered through one of IHP’s EHP shipments. Her swift recovery, free from complications, is a testament to the life-saving importance of this collaboration. For Ifrah and many others, these medicines are not merely supplies—they are a lifeline.
Beyond the immediate provision of medical supplies, Alloga UK’s contributions have lifted the spirits of healthcare workers on the frontlines. At the Panzi Hospital in the DRC, a shipment of 18 EHPs brought much-needed resources and hope to medical staff treating COVID-19 patients and survivors of sexual violence. Despite logistical challenges such as limited flights and border restrictions, Alloga UK’s flexibility and commitment ensured that even the most remote locations were not left behind.
The collaboration has also been recognized for its ability to respond swiftly to disasters and crises. Over the years, Alloga UK has supported IHP in addressing over 12 major emergencies, including Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, Cyclone Idai in Malawi, and the Beirut explosion in Lebanon. These efforts have provided tangible relief to communities during their darkest moments.
Colleen Harrisson-Dodds, Director of Logistics and Systems at IHP, expressed her deep gratitude for the partnership, noting that Alloga UK’s support has been “integral to getting medicines to people who need them most.” This sentiment was echoed by IHP’s CEO, Adele Paterson, who celebrated the collaboration’s success and looked forward to continuing the partnership to bring hope to communities in crisis.
Through its innovative logistics solutions, dedicated team, and steadfast commitment, Alloga UK has not only improved access to essential medicines but also transformed lives across the globe. This enduring partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in overcoming barriers, delivering healthcare to those who need it most, and creating healthier futures for people worldwide.
Alloga UK’s partnership with International Health Partners exemplifies the transformative potential of collaboration in addressing global healthcare challenges. By leveraging its logistics expertise, innovative solutions, and dedicated workforce, Alloga UK has played a pivotal role in delivering life-saving medicines to underserved populations worldwide.
As part of Cencora, Alloga UK continues to uphold its commitment to improving healthcare access, ensuring that no community is left behind in times of need. Together, Alloga UK and IHP are making a profound difference in the lives of millions, embodying Cencora’s mission to create healthier futures for people and animals around the world.
Cencora.com is providing automated translations to assist in reading the website in languages other than English. For these translations, reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators. These translations are provided as a service to users of Cencora.com and are provided "as is." No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, or correctness of any of these translations made from English into any other language. Some content (such as images, videos, Flash, etc.) may not be accurately translated due to the limitations of the translation software.
Any discrepancies or differences created in translating this content from English into another language are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance, enforcement, or any other purpose. If any errors are identified, please contact us. If any questions arise related to the accuracy of the information contained in these translations, please refer to the English version of the page.