On this day, 22nd July 2023, Masaka Diocesan Medical Services Store is celebrating ten years of existence. It has been a journey characterized doubts, anxiety, joys and successes. MDMS under which the Store was registered, is a faith-based organization incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, governed by a Board of Governors, appointed by the Bishop of Masaka Diocese and working under the Social Services Commission of the Diocese.
It is led by a Diocesan Health Coordinator who is responsible to the Board of Directors. The vision of MDMS is to see a Diocese with health institutions that meet health needs of the population without any discrimination.” MDMS exists to provide sustainable quality health services in continuation of Christ’s healing Ministry in partnerships with other stakeholders through four major objectives, namely,
- To increase access to quality health services at the Diocesan health Institutions.
- To strengthen governance and management systems at Health Institutions in line with generally accepted international standards
- To contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS incidences and mitigation of its effects in Masaka Diocese in line with the 95 95 95 global targets.
- To increase access to quality and affordable Pharmaceuticals in Masaka Region.
This booklet pays more attention to the last objective of increasing access to quality medicines has been achieved. We have tried to document the history of how the idea of getting involved in medicines distribution started, the circumstances that surrounded the initiation of the medical store project, the hurdles that had to be addressed before the store started, individuals and organizations that supported MDMS store to begin operations, challenges that were encountered at the initial stages of operations and how they were addressed, the staff that made their contributions towards the growth of the Store, the performance of the store against the key indicator of annual turnover, the contribution of the MDMS Store towards the general growth of MDMS in general.
As we mark 10 years of operation, it is a moment to give gratitude to God whose invisible hand has enabled MDMS Store to be where it is. The way the processes unfolded prior the birth of the new medical store presupposed a Devine intervention. MDMS is highly indebted to JMS, the lead partner who enabled the dream of MDMS to become a reality. They did not only support MDMS by supply medicines on credit, but also built the capacity of staff to manage operations as expected. We are also highly indebted to the Diocesan authorities led by the Bishop for their moral support, recommendations and approvals at different stages of MDMS.
Besides being the founders and owners of MDMS, Masaka Diocese has contributed resources to the project including land and personnel. Fr. Ron Sajdak through his reaching out 2 Africa, has heavily contributed to the infrastructural development at MDMS, while Life Net international’s intervention at the initial stages are high appreciated.
