Tanzania seeks enhanced investment to manufacture health products

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Medical Stores Department (MSD) has called for enhanced investment in Tanzania’s local health product manufacturing sector to boost the capacity of domestic industries, meet national demand, and generate foreign exchange through exports.

Speaking during the National Health Symposium and the 60th Anniversary of the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT), held today in Dar es Salaam, MSD Director General, Mavere Tukai, said more than 80 percent of health products used in Tanzania are imported, largely due to the limited production capacity of local industries.

“The heavy reliance on imported health products stems from our industries’ limited ability to produce at the required scale and quality. This challenge must be addressed through increased investment in local manufacturing,” said Tukai.

Tukai noted that MSD has already taken steps by guiding local manufacturers to initiate or scale up the production of essential medicines, depending on their capabilities. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on imports.

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“We have initiated partnerships with local industries to enhance the domestic production of essential medicines. We are already seeing progress in some areas, and reliance on imports is gradually decreasing,” he added.

Tukai further emphasized that many countries in the Sahel region have a high demand for health products. Therefore, if Tanzania can expand its production capacity, it stands to benefit commercially and increase foreign exchange earnings through regional exports.

The symposium brought together key stakeholders from the health sector to discuss strategies for improving healthcare delivery in Tanzania, including strengthening the infrastructure for manufacturing medicines and medical supplies, as part of sustainable development efforts in the health sector.