Key features

A sustainable concept

The Jazia PVS concept is described under the bilateral governmental agreement between the governments of Tanzania and Switzerland, signed by MoH and PO-RALG.
The Jazia PVS system was conceptualized and designed in a fully transparent and participatory approach involving regional, district and health facility stakeholders.
The Jazia PVS is sustainable as it is not a parallel system. It is built basing on existing government policies and guidelines and operates within the regional government structure.
The Jazia PVS is now owned by PO-RALG and the MOH who have dedicated staff to manage the system.

A supplementary source to MSD and a safety net

The Jazia PVS serves as a safety net to the region in case of stock rupture at MSD and/or an unexpected spike in demand without compromising quality or price.
The Jazia PVS does not replace MSD but serves as a supplementary source for medicines and supplies out of stock or short supplied or not stocked by MSD.
The contracted Prime Vendor maintains sufficient stock level to meet supply shortfalls experienced from MSD.
Adoption growth of the Jazia PVS confirms the need for a complementary supply chain

Fixed costs and fiscal decentralization

The system does not utilize conventional source of funding e.g. funds deposited by the government at MSD for health facilities, but utilizes supplementary sources of funds such as user/cost sharing fees, CHF, NHIF and basket funds.
Districts pool their demand for supplementary medicines at the regional level, benefitting from uniform prices in all districts.
The PV system allows health facilities through Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to manage own funds following stringent SOPs hence enhancing fiscal decentralization. This is in line with the government policy of empowering health facilities to respond to community needs.

Delivery of quality medicines

The system supplies essential medicines and supplies of assured quality, safety and efficacy in accordance with the MoH National Essential Medicines List and national oversight by the TMDA.
The system initially delivers to district headquarters; with option in the future to deliver directly to health facilities.
Public health facilities in the region have gained new options for improving drug availability without compromising quality or price.

Coordination and monitoring

Each region operates a Jazia PVS office represented by a PV coordinator, a dedicated pharmacist and support staff to coordinate and monitor the performance of the system.
The system is closely managed and supported by mandated administrative structures such as a technical committee and a tender board appointed by the regional authorities.
Technical support is provided by the Jazia PVS team at PO-RALG.

PVS Management Information system: a digital innovation

PVMIS, the Prime Vendor Management Information System is a web-based system for managing the Jazia PVS, fully integrated with the Government of Tanzania Health Operation Management Information System.

PVMIS enables public health facilities to digitally order, pay and report on medical commodities. It provides fast and transparent management of logistics data about supply requirements and enables the timely procurement of supplies.
PVMIS gives notifications when MSD products are out of stock and automates pricing, which reduces order creation and processing time, further enhancing the monitoring of Jazia PVS.
The system is accessible to multiple users such as health facilities and regional authorities.

Handing-over and ownership

In 2023 the management of Jazia PVS including the digital management information system PVMIS was handed over to PO-RALG and MOH who now coordinate and monitor the performance of the system as owners.
The HPSS project, funded by SDC and implemented by SwissTPH has ended in October 2023.
Jazia PVS is now fully owned and operated by the Tanzanian Government.