The Chairperson of the MSD Board of Trustees, who is also the patron of the MSD Kagera Zone, Ms. Rosemary Slaa, has assured health professionals from Kagera and Geita Regions that the Drug Depot (MSD) continues to make improvements in the availability of health products in the country, for example the timely availability of medical equipment and laboratory reagents.

The Chairperson of the Board made the statement today, in Kagera Region, while closing a two-day working session of MSD Kagera Zone and its stakeholders from Kagera and Geita regions, (Regional Chief Medical Officers, District/Councils, Pharmacists and Laboratory Specialists from the regions and districts) who met to discuss various challenges facing the supply chain of health products in the region and their solutions.

“We have taken the Special Procurement issue seriously, by putting in place strategies to ensure that we have these products in the warehouse, especially products that have been requested frequently and we have already ordered large quantities, so it will not be long before some of these products will begin to be available and eliminate the long wait for these products.” said Ms. Rosemary.

She added that they commend the Sixth Phase Government, under the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for deciding to provide capital to MSD, as this step will help MSD become self-reliant, and increase its ability to serve its customers.

And the MSD Manager for the Kagera Zone, Mr. Kalendero Masatu, has indicated that there are expectations of an increase in the availability of medicines by 70 to 80 percent, as from July last year to June 30 this year, the availability of medicines increased by 65 percent in the fourth quarter from 55 in the first quarter.

Mr. Masatu thanked the stakeholders for accepting the call and attending the meeting, and promised to work on all the resolutions adopted while emphasizing cooperation and regular communication with the stakeholders.