Strengthening Transport Management Practices within the Ministry of Health (MISAU)

2nd February 2026

Project Background

A well-functioning transport system is essential for delivering quality healthcare services, enabling the timely referral of patients and the distribution of vital medicines and equipment. In 2015, the Ministry of Health in Mozambique (MISAU) requested support to strengthen its transport management practices. Funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation Agency, Transaid was commissioned to assess existing systems and build the capacity of transport personnel across four key locations: Maputo City, Maputo Province, Cabo Delgado, and the national level.

An initial situational analysis confirmed that basic structures were in place, for example,  transport regulations and the use of vehicle logbooks. However, the implementation of transport management systems was not consistent, and the use of fleet data to inform decision-making remained limited. The assessment also highlighted gaps in driver competencies and the underutilisation of vehicle tracking tools.

Results

Transaid delivered a structured capacity-building programme for Transport Managers and Officers, using its Transport Management Systems (TMS) training modules. Participants were introduced to core principles of operational management, fleet management, finances, and safety management, and developed action plans to apply their learning in practice. Follow-up support visits helped reinforce implementation, particularly in locations with newly recruited personnel.

In parallel, a basic driver assessment exercise highlighted the need for improved training, particularly in defensive driving and knowledge of the national highway code. Recommendations were made to expand training, introduce ring-fenced transport budgets, and strengthen the role of a national transport office to coordinate activities across the country. The pilot created momentum for continued scale-up and demonstrated the value of investing in transport management to improve healthcare delivery.