The PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTION (MSD) has said that the distribution of modern medicines and equipment on Mafia Island in the Coast region has succeeded in reducing the referrals of patients from the island to be treated in Dar es Salaam.

Speaking yesterday on Mafia Island, the MSD Customer Service Officer for the region, Diana Kimario, said the depot has succeeded in reducing the referrals of patients from Mafia Island to Dar es Salaam by installing modern medical equipment, especially laboratory and surgical equipment.

“This district has 25 health centers, of which 21 are in Mafia and four are in small towns, where the equipment distributed by MSD will succeed in reducing the challenge of referrals for patients who were being transported to Dar es Salaam for services,” she said.

She stressed that they have succeeded in distributing X-ray machines, blood donation beds, respiratory support machines, large and small generators and other equipment worth more than sh. 450 million,” she said.

Diana said the move was made due to major improvements made by President Dr. Samia for the hospital to have modern buildings that meet the requirements of the closed facilities, especially the emergency and intensive care unit (ICU).

She said, despite these achievements, they have been facing the challenge of transporting medicines and medical supplies due to the fees they encounter at the port, so they are asking the government to see how relevant institutions including the district, MSD and the port can work together and provide exemptions for health products.

“Bringing a truck of medicines and medical supplies to Mafia is a cost you pay for the ferry and taxes at the port and Nyamisati and Mafia and if we fail to pay, we are forced to unload and load onto a ship and when they arrive in Mafia, small government vehicles are sought or rented to distribute, which takes a lot of time.

"Due to this situation, MSD Dar es Salaam Zone has requested to meet with our colleagues in the district leadership, the Member of Parliament, the ferry and port leadership to see how to exempt taxes on health products," he said

The District Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maulid Majala said the hospital has received more than 550 million shillings for the construction of two new buildings and 1.39 billion shillings for medical equipment, so he is calling on staff to ensure that the investment is in line with the value of the services provided.

He said the construction of these buildings and modern equipment is important, since previously they were meeting with emergency patients, especially accident patients, forcing them to refer them due to the hospital's lack of equipment.

Dr. Majala explained that the arrival of these health products and the availability of medicines from 60 to 90 percent has improved the provision of services on Mafia Island.

And the Medical Director of Mafia District Hospital, a specialist in gynecology, Dr. Said Maya, said that due to the island's environment, they are grateful to MSD for the great work it does to ensure that medicines and medical equipment reach the facilities regardless of the challenges of the existing environment.