By Our Correspondent, Madagascar
Executives from Tanzania’s Medical Stores Department (MSD), led by Regional Marketing Manager Ms. Nabila Hemed, recently visited Madagascar’s Medical Stores Authority (SALAMA) in Antananarivo.
The visit aimed to explore ways to boost collaboration between the two institutions, which play vital roles in improving healthcare across their respective countries.
The meeting took place on August 8, 2025, alongside the 45th Summit of Heads of State of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Discussions focused on enhancing the implementation of the SADC pooled procurement program for medicines, medical equipment, and supplies—a program coordinated by Tanzania’s MSD on behalf of SADC member states.
Ms. Nabila presented MSD’s capabilities and operational efficiency, underscoring the importance of all SADC countries, including Madagascar, fully utilizing the pooled procurement initiative.
She highlighted that the program not only helps countries access quality health products at lower costs but also promotes local production to strengthen regional self-reliance.
Both sides exchanged experiences in critical areas such as production, storage, and distribution of medicines and medical supplies.
They emphasized that innovation and efficiency in these sectors are essential to avoid disruptions that could weaken healthcare delivery.
The delegation called for continuous knowledge sharing among SADC countries through their designated institutions to address challenges effectively and improve supply chain management.
The meeting ended with MSD inviting SALAMA’s leadership to visit Tanzania to deepen cooperation and share best practices.
Also present at the meeting were Ambassador Mindi Kasiga, Director of Government Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, and MSD’s Chief Legal Officer, Ms. Ukundi Domenic.