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Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba speaks during the function.
The Joint Medical Stores( JMS) through its trading arm, Joint Health Care Investment Limited (JHC) has announced plans to scale up the production of medical products .
JHC produces medical products including cleaning materials and Ultra Sound Gel under the Clinsafe Umbrella group, immunity boosters through its Doctors Choice subsidiary, and Oxygen through Oxylife.
Speaking on Thursday, the JMS Executive Director, Dr. Bildard Baguma said in the next five year, scaling up of manufacturing of medical products will top their agenda.
“We are launching the journey to 50 years and we want in the next five years to grow the portfolio to become one of the biggest producers health products in the region,” Dr.Baguma said.
45-year journey
Started in 1979, the Joint Medical Stores is a private-Not-For Profit (PNFP) Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) established as a joint venture between the Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau and the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau.
JMS is also licensed by the National Drug Authority to engage in importing, exporting, and selling medicines and related health supplies.
Speaking on Tuesday, Dr. Baguma spoke of the 45-year journey of JMS starting from scratch to having branches around the country.
We have moved from being just a container receiving aid and coordinating its distribution to health facilities to having five branches across the country in Kampala, Mbarara, Arua, Gulu and Fort Portal . Through this, we are reaching more people,” he said.
He mentioned that JMS serves directly 4000 customers including hospitals, health facilities at lower level, pharmacies, NGOs, government as well as individuals.
Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa, the chairperson of the Uganda Episcopal Conference said the last 45 years have been a testament to working together to serve humanity better.
“Throughout these years we have achieved a lot as JMS. Having started humble in the 1970s after the war during the time of Amin where medicines were not available, we have put up many facilities. We have improved the quality of medical services,” Bishop Zziwa said.
Bishop Zziwa, who is also the chairman of Uganda Joint Christian Council said this journey has not been without challenges.
“We are an NGO and the people we serve are poor and you cant expect a lot of money from them. There is therefore a lot of input by churches both catholic and Anglican. Our staff are not well paid as those for government and we suffer to retain them. Take an example of medical doctors who are highly paid in government facilities than ours. This means many run away to join better paying government facilities.”
Five year plan
According to Dr. Bildard Baguma, Joint Medical Stores has a five year plan that will lead them to 50 years celebrations.
“Right now we are doing distribution, procurement and warehousing which will continue since because we believe in ensuring we supply high quality products, store them in pharmaceutical grade warehouses and deliver to the last mile. Over the next few years we are to strengthen our efficiency in distribution, take on technologies that enable us see what is available and what is needed in the health facilities and what is available at our warehouses so that we can seamlessly provide this service,” Dr.Baguma said.