DAR ES SALAAM, July 23 (NNN-DAILYNEWS) — The Tanzanian government through the Ministry of Health is determined to cut importation of health commodities including medical drugs by 30 per cent come 2030.
Minister for Health Ummy Mwalimu expressed the government commitment in Dar es Salaam in an event which brought together health stakeholders and various investors who are suppliers of health commodities.
“The government is determined to cut importation of health commodities including medicines from 80 percent to less than 50 per cent come 2030,” Mwalimu said.
“In your discussion I believe that you will support the government efforts of reducing importation of heath commodities,” she said.
She said the government through the Ministry of Health will also attract more investors in the health sector, including establishment of pharmaceutical industries in the country.
“We will continue to strengthen our industries, but also we cooperate with other countries through East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to ensure reliable access of health services,” Mwalimu said.
She assured investors of government support in investing in health sector, including reliable market for health commodities which will be produced in the country.
She said the government, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, will continue to improve its health system through its pledge of financing health services in which in 2023/2024 financial year it has set aside more than 600m/-.
She urged investors to proceed with their discussion in the meeting ‘Chat and Dine’ in order to bring positive results to sellers, agents and traders of health commodities.
Last year, the government pledged to continue supporting the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industry to boost production capacity of medicine in a bid to reduce imports.
The government has provided various incentives, including cutting corporate tax from 30 per cent to 20 per cent for the new industries being built in the country.
The government has continued to set and manage various policies, laws and strategies to promote and develop startup sectors to achieve the goals of production capacity of medicine in the country by 60 per cent.
Local production of health commodities currently stands at only 12 per cent.
She said the incentives are applicable in the first five years of investment and will go along with the elimination of taxes on medicine packaging. — NNN-DAILYNEWS
