Joseph Isangura
The Tanzanian government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made remarkable strides in improving access to medicines nationwide.
Over the past four years, the country’s Medical Stores Department (MSD) has achieved a 98% procurement rate for essential medicines, an unprecedented milestone since the department’s establishment.
Government spokesperson and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts, and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, announced the achievement during a press briefing in Dodoma. He noted that this progress reflects a combination of strategic reforms, increased funding, and strengthened supply chain management in the health sector.
“The government has invested significantly in medical supplies and modern healthcare equipment, including digital X-ray machines, ultrasound devices, and CT scanners. These investments are transforming healthcare delivery across Tanzania,” Msigwa said.
The MSD has also improved distribution efficiency, achieving a 98% delivery rate from central warehouses to healthcare facilities nationwide, a substantial increase from the 23% recorded in 2021/2022.
In a bid to strengthen local production, the government has prioritized procuring medicines from domestic manufacturers. Between July and December 2024, the government purchased 56.7 billion Tanzanian shillings’ worth of medical products from local producers, compared with 22.1 billion shillings during the previous period—a 157% increase. This approach supports local industry, reduces reliance on imports, and generates employment opportunities.
Msigwa emphasized that these achievements are part of the government’s broader commitment to ensuring universal access to healthcare. By guaranteeing the availability of essential medicines, Tanzania is taking concrete steps toward improving public health outcomes and meeting the healthcare needs of its population.
