Dodoma Zone
Dodoma SBU was established in 2007, serving two regions, Dodoma and Singida, and one district of Manyara (Kiteto District for logistical reasons), which makes a total of sixteen district councils. Dodoma SBU, located in Central Tanzania, also serves as a Hub for storing health commodities for nearby zones such as Tabora, Mwanza, Iringa, and Kagera. It serves 741 health facilities in different areas, from dispensaries to the national level. These facilities include Government facilities and Faith-Based Organizations. Among these facilities, some receive funds from the government on quarterly disbursement through MSD accounts. In contrast, others use cost-sharing to procure medicines and medical supplies to sustain health commodities. Dodoma SBU has (42) staff. The SBU volume of activities has increased because the SBU serves as a hub for storage of overstocked items from the Central warehouse and resupply to other zones, hence doubling warehouse and distribution activities. The introduction of the redesigned ILS system has increased the workload and demand for additional staff in sales, warehouse, Customer services, Data clerk/records, and drivers, as narrated above.
Like other zones, the Dodoma zone operates under the Directorate of Logistics and Operations (DLO). In the financial year 2013/2014, it was transformed into a Strategic Business Unit (SBU). Several drivers led MSD to transform zones into Strategic Business Units (SBUs). These include health sector reform, Vertical program logistical integration, the Direct Delivery (DD) system, an increasingly competitive market, MSD's growth in facility needs and branching out, and the urge to achieve an optimal match between strategy and structure.
Dodoma SBUStrategicallyintended;
To facilitate smooth flow of health commodities from suppliers, Central to Dodoma zones and finally distributed to health facilities. In developing the zonal supply chain management, consideration was made to ensure that all principles and necessary flow of information, such as flow of funds, commodities, and reverse logistics, are considered in carrying its mandates.
Storage of Health Commodities
Proper storage conditions are vital to ensuring the quality of life-saving health commodities. Product expiration dates are based on adequate storage conditions, and providing these conditions helps protect product quality and conserve resources.
Dodoma Zone stores medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory reagents in its warehouses, which are strategically located in the Kizota Industrial Area. The 6,534-square-meter storage facilities are modern, computerized, and technological.
To address storage challenges in picking, receiving, and dispatching items, the Dodoma zone adopted the Epicor-10 system. Implementing warehousing activities using the Epicor-10 system has reduced the tremendous workload on the warehouse staff. The system provides multiple options for transacting items within and out of the warehouse to customers while maintaining data and inventory accuracy and speed.
Distribution Coverage
The Dodoma zone distributes health products to the central regions of Tanzania, covering a total distance of about 140,000 kilometers. It serves 16 districts with 741 health facilities, ranging from National Hospitals to Dispensaries. The zone implements the six direct delivery cycles in all 741 Health Facilities in 16 districts.
Customer engagement
Dodoma SBU has a significant customer base. It has well-trained and supportive staff to deliver a high standard level of service to all its segmented customers. The customers have been segmented into two groups;
1. Corporate customers include National Mental Health Hospital, Zonal Referral Hospital and regional Referral Hospitals
2. Non-corporate customers include Primary Health Facilities (Dispensaries, Health Centers), District Hospitals registered by PO-RALG;
Customer Feedback and Complaints Handling
Dodoma SBU welcomes opinions and feedback to improve our services. Customer opinions and feedback are treated with the utmost confidentiality and used for the intended purpose only. Customers can share their views and feedback through a letter, suggestion box, e-mail, telephone, website, physical visit, or any other means of convenience. Also, Dodoma Zone has opened different communication platforms, such as WhatsApp, to bring customers together.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Dodoma Zone remains committed to its role as a responsible corporate citizen toward its stakeholders and the communities within which it operates. Over the years, we have contributed significantly to initiatives that benefit disadvantaged communities and are related to our operations. We work closely with the community to maintain social services and return surplus to our community.