MSD upgrades storage facilities to boost service
THE Medical Stores Department (MSD) has embarked on a large-scale infrastructure expansion project aimed at addressing chronic shortages of storage facilities for essential health commodities across the country.
Chief Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Mr Gerson Msigwa, said MSD assessment showed the department currently owns only 36,254 square metres of storage space—barely 36 per cent of the 100,000 square metres required.
“To bridge this gap, MSD launched a warehouse construction project divided into three phases,” he said, noting that the first phase has already seen the completion of warehouses in Dodoma and Mtwara by June 2025.
The two facilities, with a combined size of 12,000 square metres, cost 42bn/- to build and are expected to significantly enhance efficiency in storing and distributing medicines nationwide.
The Dodoma warehouse, which alone covers 7,200 square metres and cost 23.7bn/-, is set to become the central hub of the MSD network. Its strategic location in the political capital will connect directly to warehouses in Mwanza, Kagera, Tabora, Iringa and Dodoma itself.
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“With access to the Standard Gauge Railway, we will cut transportation costs and reduce dependence on consignments from Dar es Salaam Port,” Mr Msigwa explained.
In addition, MSD is preparing to hand over a site in Chato, Geita Region, for the construction of a 4,800-square-metre warehouse that will serve Kagera, Geita and parts of Kigoma Region.
Construction of a Mwanza warehouse is also in the pipeline, with architectural designs completed and preparatory work underway following an allocation of 13bn/-.
Looking ahead, MSD plans to expand further in Dar es Salaam, Iringa and Ruvuma under the project’s third phase. These new investments, according to Mr Msigwa, will revolutionise the health supply chain by ensuring timely delivery of medicines and equipment while reducing stockouts that have plagued health facilities for years.
“These investments will strengthen the health supply chain, ensure timely delivery of medicines and medical equipment and enhance efficiency in service provision nationwide,” he said.
The expansion aligns with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s reforms in the health sector, which prioritise accessibility, reliability and equity in the provision of health commodities.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1993 and later amended in 2021, MSD now enjoys corporate status with perpetual succession and legal independence.
It envisions becoming a continental leader in the supply of health commodities, powered by technology and efficient processes. Its mission remains clear: To ensure every Tanzanian, regardless of location, has access to quality medicines and medical supplies.
