Accredited drug dispensing outlets, also called ADDOs or duka la dawa muhimuin Swahili, are small pharmaceutical outlets located in rural and semi-urban settings in Tanzania. SHOPS Plus Tanzania chief of party, Maureen Ogada-Ndekana, talks about why these outlets are so important and how the project is working to strengthen them.

According to Ogada-Ndekana, ADDOs are the first entry point into the health system for 75 percent of the country’s rural and semi-urban population. They are an important platform for information, some limited primary health services, and referral for other services. In addition, 80 percent of these outlets are manned by women.

SHOPS Plus is working to strengthen the sustainability of ADDOs by building the capacity of their owners and dispensers through business and financial management training, and facilitating access to finance, which is a challenges for ADDOs hoping to expand and improve their services. The project is also strengthening the service delivery capacity of ADDOs and is working with key stakeholders to integrate ADDO training modules into the national ADDO owner curriculum.

Watch her interview below.

Maureen Ogada-Ndekana Talks About a Critical Platform in Tanzania’s Health System