Dodoma Regional Commissioner, Hon. Rosemary Senyamule has commended the leadership of the Medical Supply Department (MSD) for the major changes underway in the institution, which have largely helped reduce complaints of shortages of health products in the country, for example complaints of shortages of medicines.

Hon. Senyamule has explained that previously when they went to public meetings to speak to the public, they encountered many complaints of shortages of medicines, but recently the situation has changed, although there are still challenges, but at least it is encouraging to see that reforms are taking place.

Hon. Senyamule made the commendations today while opening the Annual Meeting of MSD Dodoma Zone customers and stakeholders, who are from Dodoma, Singida and Kiteto Council regions, held at the OSHA conference hall in Dodoma.

However, the Regional Commissioner has emphasized that you cannot talk about the development of the health sector without mentioning the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, as she has brought about a major revolution, in the short period of three years of her leadership.

“When we talk about health sector improvements and service changes, we cannot fail to mention Hon. Our President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, as the main leader who led this revolution, as we have witnessed a significant increase in the budget for health products, health infrastructure, an increase in health service delivery centers, an increase in medical equipment at all levels of service delivery from the grassroots to the national level” said Hon. Senyamule

In addition, Hon. Senyamule commended MSD for coordinating the stakeholder meetings, as these sessions are an important bridge in improving relations and communication between the parties, providing stakeholders with understanding of how MSD works and existing systems, maintaining unity and serving the citizens in a timely manner, providing feedback on the services provided, identifying challenges that arise in the health product supply chain and ensuring that they are responded to in order to bring about productivity.

In another step, Hon. Senyamule has advised health sector practitioners to effectively manage service delivery centers so that they can collect sufficient revenue, effectively manage the supply chain of health products by avoiding product waste, while also making accurate and timely forecasts to help MSD carry out its duties professionally and bring productivity to the citizens.

For his part, MSD Director General Mavere Tukai, has explained the various steps being taken by MSD to improve access to health products in the country, including changes in the institutional structure, improvements to product storage areas, the use of IT systems, training to build the capacity of staff, improvements to manufacturer and supplier contracts, an increase in staff to meet demand, and the establishment of a subsidiary to manage factories.

Mavere said that MSD has now made great strides in meeting customer needs, as in 2022, MSD's ability to meet customer needs and requests was 52 percent, whereas currently, this ability has increased to 84 percent, noting that the current strategy and goals are to exceed where they are and be able to serve customers by 90 percent.

Mavere used the opportunity to encourage MSD executives and stakeholders to involve MSD in its annual procurement plans, to ensure that the Warehouse can meet their needs when they need the products, rather than the current procedure for customers to bring emergency needs that were not in MSD's Annual Procurement Plan.