The government has reported a significant improvement in the availability of medicines and health commodities in primary healthcare facilities across the country.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), Dr Jafari Seif, said the supply of medicines in health facilities has reached satisfactory levels compared to previous years.
Speaking on April 2, 2026 in Dar es Salaam during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the offices of the Medical Stores Department (MSD), Dr Seif said the 2026 assessment shows notable progress in the availability of medicines across various levels of healthcare facilities.
According to the assessment, medicine availability has reached 89 percent in hospitals, while health centres and dispensaries have each recorded availability levels of 88 percent.
Dr Seif said the improvement reflects ongoing government efforts to strengthen the medical supply chain and ensure that health facilities remain adequately stocked with essential medicines and other health products.
He also noted that primary healthcare facilities have continued to strengthen their financial capacity through internally generated revenue.
In the 2024/25 financial year, primary-level health facilities collected approximately TZS108 billion. The collections are expected to increase significantly to about TZS192 billion in the 2025/26 financial year.
The increase in revenue is expected to support the purchase of medicines and other medical supplies, while also helping to improve service delivery in healthcare facilities across the country.
Health minister Mohamed Mchengerwa said strengthening the management of healthcare facilities remains a key priority for the government.
He directed the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to work closely with PMO-RALG to prepare and oversee guidelines, procedures and management structures for health facilities nationwide.
Mr Mchengerwa said the move aims to ensure that pharmacists become part of management teams in health facilities across the country in order to improve efficiency in the management and distribution of medicines.
According to the minister, integrating pharmacists into the leadership structures of healthcare facilities will strengthen accountability, improve medicine management and enhance the quality of health services delivered to the public.
