State to monitor importation of medicines

DEUS NGOWI in Moshi

THE Government has decided that hospital drugs will be procured directly from pharmaceutical industries instead of using agents, in a bid to cut unnecessary costs.

The Prime Minister, Mr Kasim Majaliwa, said this when he paid a impromptu visit at Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital and was not pleased with the shortage of medical drugs at the hospital. He instructed the management to order enough medicines in conformity with the needs of patients.

Mr Majaliwa said the Government will make contact with countries such as China and India that have large pharmaceutical industries so as to supply Tanzania with the needed drugs on time. He noted that agents are after profits, something that has cost the Government a lot of money unnecessarily.

The Premier used the opportunity to order all regional referral hospitals to make certain they order enough medicines, after making thorough review of the types needed in relation to diseases prevailing in respective areas.

Responding to the PM’s questions, Kilimanjaro Regional Medical Officer, Dr Mtumwa Mwako said the hospital always orders medicines but it came to pass that drugs got finished earlier -- depending on the number of patients who turn up unexpectedly.

In another development, the prime minister said the government will improve all regional referral hospitals so as to ease the pressure and burden on specialized hospitals.

Such hospitals include Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) and Catholic University of Health and Allied Studies (CUHAS). “The Government will improve regional referral hospitals so that big hospitals like KCMC deal with special requirements only,” he said.

The premier, in his visit, toured different departments and was unhappy to find the X-ray machine damaged and called for quick repairs. Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Mr Amos Makala told the PM that he had already toured the hospital and ordered repairs to the machine. He promised to make further follow-up on the matter.

Mr Majaliwa, however, was happy with the performance of the doctors and nurses as he got a feedback from members of the public that they serve well and use good language.

On economic matters, the premier urged citizens to get involved in production activities instead of staying idle in the streets or at home.

He said it is pertinent for everybody to be creative and guarantee productivity in their working places. He commended Moshi Municipal Mayor, Mr Raymond Mboya (Chadema) for cleanliness of the town and urged other regions to follow suit