Commercial banks usually do not have branches in most villages where health centres are located. It is, therefore, important to adopt convenient methods for securing all cash and always having money available for the replenishment of drugs.

The following procedures can be helpful in the handling of cash:

• A locally-made durable safe cash should be provided and buried in the floor in such a way that it cannot easily be located by other people. This safe should be used in such a way that once money has been deposited, it can only be taken out in the presence of a member of the health committee or supervisory team who has one of the keys.

• Purchase money orders with cash collected. Address such money orders to the medical store, if possible, and keep in the safe for making payment to the medical store during the next supply.

• Take money along for making payments for supplies whenever a trip is made to the medical store.

• The delivery team could collect cash for supplies made to the health centre when delivering supplies.

• Only person from the central store team should collect money from the health centre!

• Any amount that is not paid out (balance) is carried forward and used to pay during the next visit to the medical store.

• A receipt, such as that in Diagram 14, could be used to document the collection and payment of cash in the FRB.

Diagram 14 Model Receipt f or Payments to Medical Store

Turnover (From ________ to ______) ______

Paid to central store _____________________________________________________________
Balance ______________________________________________________________________
Name/Signature of payer _________________________________________________________
Name/Signature of receiver _______________________________________________________
Date _________________________________________________________________________