Ministry of Health, MSD and Health Sector Stakeholders Discuss Strategic Direction and National Strategy to Strengthen Financial Security of the Health Commodities Supply Chain.
#Dodoma
The Government of Tanzania, through the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Medical Stores Department (MSD), has initiated a new strategic step aimed at strengthening the financial security of the national health commodities supply chain. This follows a working meeting that brought together the Ministry of Health, MSD, and 45 of its clients to discuss effective ways of eliminating and controlling outstanding debts owed by institutions served by MSD.
Opening the meeting today, May 13, 2026, at the Chief Chemist’s Office Hall in Dodoma, and as part of the implementation of directives issued by the Minister of Health, Hon. Mohamed Mchengerwa, during his visit to MSD headquarters in Keko Mwanga on March 28, 2026, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies, Emmanuel Tayari, stated that the government is committed to ensuring that all MSD clients actively participate in building a sustainable financial system that guarantees MSD’s ability to continue delivering services without disruption.
“It is now important for all stakeholders to engage in in-depth discussions and develop a strong, sustainable, and joint plan to clear MSD debts and prevent recurrence. Instead, stakeholders should focus on innovation to improve the availability of health commodities to ensure quality healthcare for Tanzanians. Every institution must take responsibility for strengthening MSD’s financial health by paying or reducing outstanding debts,” said Tayari.
The Chief Government Pharmacist, Daudi Msasi, also emphasized the importance of establishing a strong system for debt management and control in all hospitals served by MSD in order to prevent the recurrence of increasing debt burdens.
“Now is the time to set debt limits for institutions receiving MSD services, alongside a sustainable payment plan. In addition, MSD must strictly enforce its laws and procedures to prevent unsustainable accumulation of credit by its clients,” said Msasi.
He further noted that when such challenges grow, they affect MSD’s ability to procure directly from manufacturers and to strategically maintain stock levels of essential health commodities, which could ultimately compromise the stability of health services in the country, especially during emergencies and disease outbreaks.
For his part, the Managing Director of MSD, Mavere Tukai, stated that the rising debt from various institutions has continued to affect the agency’s ability to effectively carry out its core responsibilities, particularly in the procurement of health commodities and payment of suppliers.
“MSD has a critical role of ensuring the continuous availability of medicines and medical supplies in health facilities across the country. However, the increasing debt from some hospitals affects cash flow, thereby reducing our ability to procure on time, pay suppliers, and sustain essential supply chain services,” said Tukai.
Contributing to the discussion, the Director of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Prof. Abel Makubi, said the debt challenge cannot be addressed by focusing on MSD alone, but requires a broader assessment of the entire financial system of the national health sector.
“As the Permanent Secretary noted, we need a comprehensive strategy involving the government and all stakeholders in the health sector to re-examine the financial framework for healthcare delivery. These challenges are rooted in the overall financing system of health service delivery and require a collective solution,” said Prof. Makubi.
However, some MSD clients noted that despite the willingness of many institutions to settle their debts, financial constraints arising from high operational costs in healthcare delivery have made it difficult for some hospitals and institutions to do so.
Participants were further informed that strengthening the financial security of the health commodities supply chain will help ensure the sustainable availability of medicines, medical supplies, and diagnostics in hospitals and health facilities across the country, ultimately improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery to citizens.
Overall, participants expressed a shared commitment to finding a lasting solution to the debt challenge for the benefit of the entire health sector and the public. The initiative offers renewed hope for building a strong, sustainable, and efficient system that ensures uninterrupted healthcare delivery despite financial challenges.
The meeting has been described as a key strategic milestone in strengthening the national health commodities supply chain, reducing both existing and future debts, particularly at a time when the government continues to invest in improving healthcare services and expanding access to quality care for all citizens.
