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MSD signals readiness to fulfill Tanzania’s medical supply
What you need to know:
- The move is a strategic step as Tanzania significantly ramps up its domestic pharmaceutical production and adapts to evolving global health funding dynamics.
Dar es Salaam. The Medical Stores Department (MSD) has expressed its readiness to meet the country’s medical supply needs, assuring corporate clients of its strong capacity and well-stocked inventory.
This assertive stance follows yesterday’s "Window Shopping" event, where MSD proactively engaged with key corporate customers to highlight its enhanced capabilities, including access to advanced medical equipment and technology.
The move is a strategic step as Tanzania significantly ramps up its domestic pharmaceutical production and adapts to evolving global health funding dynamics. MSD’s corporate customer service lead, Mr Michael Bajile, articulated the department's renewed focus.
"We decided to organise this event to put a spotlight on our major corporate customers, to foster collaboration, and to unequivocally assure them that we possess all necessary equipment and the capability to supply," he said.
He emphasised the calibre of their extensive supplier network, noting “…they meet international standards and can provide advanced technological equipment, including AI and highly sophisticated machinery. We are actively working to increase demand from our corporate customers."
This proactive outreach by MSD is particularly timely, as the government, through the Ministry of Health, has recently announced ambitious plans to strengthen its healthcare independence.
During the tabling of the proposed Sh1.61 trillion budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year, Health Minister Hon Jenista Mhagama underscored the significant government investment in empowering MSD.
“From 2021 to March 2025, a total of Sh529.2 billion was provided to MSD for health product procurement. Additionally, between July 2024 and March 2025, Sh183.2 billion (91.6 percent of the Sh200 billion subsidy budget) was disbursed to health facilities specifically for purchasing products through MSD,” she said.
Minister Mhagama said that to enhance MSD's operational capital further, Sh50 billion was allocated in the 2024/2025 fiscal year. Complementing this, health facilities contributed Sh26.6 billion for the purchase of health products.
"The efficiency achieved at the MSD is a direct result of the government's investment in improvements and ensuring that this sensitive institution fully performs its duties, including providing MSD with Sh100 billion," Minister Mhagama affirmed.
She also announced a critical shift starting in the 2025/26 fiscal year: "The government has decided to allocate funds to cover the costs of products for integrated programmes, which include the storage and distribution of health products for HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and maternal and child health." This new funding mechanism aims to guarantee the consistent availability of essential medicines for these critical health areas.
MSD’s Director of Logistics, Mr Victor Sungusia, reinforced the department's renewed vigour, reiterating the institution's commitment to ensuring that every health facility, every patient, has access to the right medical supplies at the right time.
"The substantial government investment, coupled with our enhanced supply chain capabilities and advanced technology, positions us strongly to meet the growing demands of both public and corporate sectors. We are building a robust and resilient supply chain for Tanzania's health future."
