The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS has praised the Medical Stores Department (MSD) for its strong performance in ensuring the timely distribution of medicines across Tanzania, describing the agency as a vital pillar in the country’s efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery.
The committee’s Vice Chairperson, Ziada Hamid, made the remarks on Tuesday during a visit to MSD’s zonal office and pharmaceutical distribution centre in Dodoma.
The visit formed part of Parliament’s oversight role to assess the performance of institutions responsible for delivering health services and supporting the government’s broader healthcare agenda.
Speaking after touring the facility, Hamid said the committee was satisfied with MSD’s systems for receiving, storing and distributing medicines, noting that the Dodoma distribution centre plays a strategic role in serving a large part of the country.
“We are impressed by the way MSD manages the distribution of medicines and the systems it has put in place for receiving, storing and delivering pharmaceutical products. This zone serves nearly 70 per cent of the country’s regions, demonstrating the institution’s significant contribution to improving the availability of medicines nationwide,” she said.
The committee noted that reliable medicine supplies are essential for improving healthcare services and ensuring patients receive timely treatment.
Members said MSD’s performance reflects the progress Tanzania has made in strengthening its health supply chain and reducing shortages of essential medicines in public health facilities.
The lawmakers further urged the government to continue investing in the agency to enhance its operational capacity and enable it to meet the growing demand for medicines and medical supplies.
According to the committee, increased investment in storage infrastructure, logistics and technology would help MSD improve efficiency and maintain a consistent supply of medicines across the country.
The Dodoma distribution centre is one of MSD’s key operational hubs and serves a significant number of regions, making it central to the country’s pharmaceutical supply network.
The committee’s endorsement comes as the government continues to prioritise the strengthening of healthcare systems and the availability of essential medicines as part of wider efforts to improve the quality of health services available to Tanzanians.
