U.S.

Embassy Dar es Salaam

TANZANIA

June 1, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. GOVERNMENT CALLS ON GOVERNMENT OF TANZANIA TO EXPAND
INVESTMENTS IN HEALTH COMMODITIES
June 1, 2016 - Speaking today at an end-of-project event in Dar es Salaam for the Supply Chain
Management System (SCMS) and USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) Health Office Director Janean Davis emphasized the need for the
Government of Tanzania to prioritize health commodities and the national public health supply
chain. The event marked 10 years of supply chain strengthening in Tanzania and showcased the
projects most successful interventions that will be key to building momentum around supply
chain management.
On behalf of USAID, I am pleased that the Government of Tanzania allocated funds toward
health commodities, and urge the various ministries represented here to ensure that funds from
your respective health budgets are disbursed toward that goal, Davis said. Consistent,
transparent supplies and distribution networks for medicine and equipment are one of the keys to
unlocking a healthier, more prosperous future for Tanzania.
SCMS and USAID | DELIVER working in concert with Tanzanias Ministry of Health,
Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, the Ministry of Health in Zanzibar,
and other health commodity supply chain stakeholders have been procuring health
commodities and providing technical assistance in supply chain management for the past decade,
helping to make health commodity supply chains in Tanzania more effective and efficient.
This technical assistance was made possible through USAID under the U.S. Presidents
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Presidents Malaria Initiative.
Collectively, as of March 2016, the two projects had invested more than $466 million to
strengthen Tanzanias health commodity supply chain, including the procurement of more than
$375 million worth of medicine and equipment to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
This amount also included $67 million in reproductive and maternal health commodities.
The projects interventions have had visible impact at all levels, from program management at
the national level to end users at the approximately 5,000 service delivery points in Tanzania.
Among the results highlighted on Wednesday were strengthening data usage for timely policy
decision making; ensuring the efficacy of medicines by improving storage facilities and
commodity management practices; and improving organizational capacity to sustainably manage
the health commodity supply chain in Tanzania.
686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
Telephone+255-22-229-4000, Fax+255-22-229-4722
http://tanzania.usembassy.gov

Systems strengthening at the local government level and country ownership were two key
themes at the end-of-project event, with stakeholders presenting lessons learned on what works
to sustainably strengthen health systems in service of consistent, accountable supply chains. An
interactive marketplace exhibition prior to the event gave participants a forum to discuss best
practices for capacity building.
"These projects have worked hand in hand with the Ministry to strengthen Tanzania's health
system in providing innovative and sustainable supply chain solutions," said Dr. Mpoki
Ulisubisya, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender,
Elderly, and Children. "Today we join hands in reflecting on a decade of partnership that has led
to the strengthening of pharmaceutical supply chains, saving lives both here in mainland
Tanzania and Zanzibar."
To request more information about this event, please email Japhet Sanga (SangaJJ@state.gov),
Senior Information Specialist at U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam.

686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam
Telephone+255-22-229-4000, Fax+255-22-229-4722
http://tanzania.usembassy.gov