#Zanzibar,

The Director General of the Tanzania Medical Depot (MSD), Mavere Tukai, has stated that the MSD, in collaboration with the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI), continues to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at improving access to medicines and medical equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases in the country.

Mavere made this statement in Zanzibar at the International Cardiology Conference (Cardio Tan 2025) organized by the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute, while presenting a topic on the various challenges facing the supply chain of health products in the country, especially in the area of purchasing heart program products.

Mavere emphasized that using the Collaborative Demand Planning system, MSD and JKCI have implemented a joint venture aimed at strengthening the supply chain of essential heart program products in the country, in order to improve the health of the people.

“For the first time, cardiologists are being directly involved in the procurement process, ensuring that the products being imported meet their actual medical needs and this partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening cardiac services in the country and building a healthy and resilient Tanzania,” said Mavere.

He explained that in collaboration with the country’s drug regulatory authorities, MSD and JKCI are ensuring that cardiac health products are properly registered or receive a One-time Permission for procurement, as one of the challenges in obtaining many cardiac program products is due to their lack of registration in the country and their absence in the country’s catalog and medical guidelines (Special and Generic Brands).

In ensuring that these quality products with international standards are available in the country, Mavere noted that MSD is considering collaborating with large international companies to manufacture these products under contract through local companies in accordance with WHO guidelines to verify products and suppliers.

In another step, Mavere stressed that through a joint procurement system for SADC member countries, (SADC Pooled Procurement), it will enable member countries to obtain products at minimum order quantities (MOQ) more efficiently, with the recommended products expected to be purchased through long-term contracts (Framework Agreements).