Hon. Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabyanga, has commended National Medical Stores (NMS) for its state-of-the-art facility in Kajjansi, the largest government-owned medical warehouse on the African continent, and lauded the organization for its innovative use of technology to improve visibility in medicine delivery.
“This warehouse in Kajjansi is not only the pride of Uganda but a clear demonstration of Government’s commitment to strengthening the health supply chain and delivering services that improve the lives of our people,” Hon. Kabyanga said. He further urged Communicators to intensify messaging on Government programs, noting that “when citizens know what their Government is doing for them, trust is built and impact is multiplied.”
The Minister made these remarks during a visit by a section of Government Communicators to the NMS Head Office in Kajjansi. The engagement provided an opportunity to showcase the pivotal role NMS plays in ensuring the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies across the country.
During the visit, over 30 Government Communicators from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), were introduced to the NMS Delivery Monitoring Tool (DMT), which allows stakeholders and the public to know when and where NMS has delivered medicines real time.
According to the NMS General Manager, Mr. Moses Kamabare, “Through the DMT, sms’ for medicine dispatch and delivery are sent directly to RDCs, MPs, CAOs, DHOs, and DISOs. These officials are equipped to monitor and ensure that the medicines delivered are properly utilized. Alongside GPS-enabled NMS trucks and strategically placed cameras in our vehicles, this technology provides full transparency from dispatch to delivery, improving accountability and building trust with both stakeholders and the public,” he said.
The General Manager also emphasized the importance of preventive health communication:
“While medicines are important, we must remind Ugandans that prevention is even better. More than 75% of diseases in Uganda are preventable. As communicators, we urge you to share messages that empower citizens to live healthier lives,” he said.
The visit highlighted both the world-class innovations at NMS and the critical role of communication in amplifying Government’s achievements, promoting accountability, and encouraging a healthier nation.
NMS, a government agency mandated to procure, store and distribute medicines and medical supplies, delivers medicines to over 3400 government health facilities across the Country.
