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Monday 07:30 - 16:30 Tuesday 07:30 - 16:30 Wednesday 07:30 - 16:30 Thursday 07:30 - 16:30 Friday 07:30 - 16:30

Central Medical Stores Trust - Malawi, Mzimba Street, Opposite Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 55, Lilongwe (2026)

Q: What is the address?

Mzimba Street, Opposite Kamuzu University Of Health Sciences, Private Bag 55

14/03/2026

PARLIAMENTARY HEALTH CLUSTER PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR IMPROVED MEDICINE SUPPLY

The Parliamentary Cluster on Health (PHC) on Saturday visited the Regional Medical Stores – South (RMS South) in Blantyre to appreciate first-hand the operational processes that influence the supply of medicines and medical supplies in the country.

PHC Chairperson, Honourable Anthony Masamba, described the visit as a critical step towards understanding the operational realities of the institution tasked with safeguarding the nation’s medicine supply chain.

Honourable Masamba said the engagement builds on discussions held last week in Lilongwe, where Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) appeared before the committee to discuss matters surrounding its 2026–2027 budget.

“The visit allows the Committee to directly inspect the processes and issues that have an impact on service delivery. Such engagements help us better understand the challenges and opportunities within the medicines supply chain,” said Masamba.

During the interaction, members of the committee sought clarification on several operational areas, including stockholding processes, customer service systems, order processing procedures, and property maintenance at the facility.

Representing CMST Management, Director of Finance and Administration Vincent Chilinda said the Trust’s success in ensuring uninterrupted supply of quality medicines depends heavily on the support of key stakeholders, including the Parliament of Malawi.

“CMST values the continued engagement with Parliament because such support strengthens our ability to serve health facilities and ultimately the people of Malawi,” said Chilinda.

Honourable Masamba further challenged CMST to fully utilise the Committee’s support in addressing operational challenges affecting the medicines supply chain.

“Wherever there are challenges that require policy support or parliamentary advocacy, the Committee is ready to work with CMST. The Trust must not hesitate to exhaust the support available from this Committee,” he said.

The visit forms part of the Committee’s oversight role in ensuring that institutions within the health sector are well positioned to deliver efficient and reliable health services to Malawians.

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05/03/2026

CMST ENGAGES PARLIAMENTARY CLUSTER ON HEALTH ON STRENGTHENING ACCESS TO MEDICINES

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) today honoured the invitation of the Parliamentary Cluster on Health (PCH) to engage on issues surrounding the Trust’s mandate and how the Committee can best support CMST in achieving its full potential in ensuring reliable access to medicines and medical supplies.

The Committee sought engagement on an array of issues, including the proliferation of substandard and falsified medicines, drug pilferage in health facilities, product expiries, pricing of medical commodities, CMST’s outstanding dues to suppliers, as well as the adequacy of drug budgets in health facilities and their current indebtedness to the Trust.

CMST Board Chairperson, Mrs Tadala Hamisi Mengezi, said the engagement was timely and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between Parliament and public institutions entrusted with safeguarding national health systems.

“We appreciate the Committee’s interest and guidance on matters affecting the availability and integrity of medicines in Malawi. CMST remains committed to translating this engagement into strengthened systems and improved availability of quality health commodities for Malawians,” she said.

Parliamentary Cluster on Health Chairperson, Honourable Anthony Masamba, assured CMST of the Committee’s continued support, noting that Parliament remains an important partner in addressing systemic challenges affecting the medicines supply chain.

“CMST has a partner in the Committee. Our door remains open for engagement, guidance and support, particularly in areas where parliamentary oversight and policy direction can help strengthen the delivery of health services to Malawians,” said Masamba.

The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce cooperation between CMST and key national stakeholders in order to enhance accountability, sustainability and the efficient delivery of essential medicines and medical supplies across the country.

16/02/2026

CMST, MIU AND NORTHERN REGION HEALTH FACILITIES DISCUSS PRESIDENTIAL HEALTH COMMITMENTS

The Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) and the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) have reinforced collaboration with Northern Region health facilities, holding strategic engagements with Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH) and the Mzimba North District Health Office (DHO) to align Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with the Government’s 716 presidential commitments.

The visits form part of ongoing nationwide familiarisation and performance-mapping exercises spearheaded by the MIU under the President’s Office to track implementation of campaign promises made during the 2025 presidential race, clustered under five priority areas — popularly termed the “4Fs and 1M”: forex, fertiliser, food, fuel and medicines — with health supply chain performance being central to the medicines pillar.

Speaking during the engagements, MIU Service Design and Re-engineering Specialist, Counsel George Matipwiri, emphasised that the strength of the bond between CMST and health facilities will determine the ease and effectiveness of achieving KPIs linked to medicine availability. He stressed that seamless coordination, transparency and shared accountability between supplier and service delivery points are indispensable to improved patient outcomes.

At MCH, MIU Communication Specialist Mr Tithokoze Khonyongwa said the Unit is committed to learning from technical experts at facility level to refine implementation of KPIs under the 4Fs and 1M framework.

MCH Deputy Director Dr Wiseman Phiri welcomed the engagement, noting that it clarified expectations and reaffirmed the hospital’s adherence to established procurement and service guidelines. He pledged transparency on service levels to strengthen supply chain responsiveness.

Similarly, Mzimba North Director of Health and Sanitation Services, Dr Wamaka Musopole, commended the MIU’s structured approach to improving service delivery, observing that the engagement helped align district operations with national performance targets.

CMST RMS North Manager Mr Innocent Mbowela appreciated the service partnership with both institutions, noting that coordinated planning and open communication will be decisive in meeting expected results under the MIU arrangement.

Collectively, the engagements reaffirm that structured collaboration between CMST and frontline health facilities is central to translating manifesto commitments into measurable public value — ensuring uninterrupted availability of affordable and quality medicines and advancing Malawi’s long-term development aspirations.

16/02/2026

CMST, MIU DEEPEN KPI ALIGNMENT AT RMS NORTH

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) today hosted the Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) at Regional Medical Stores (RMS) North in Mzuzu, continuing joint familiarisation and mapping of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) aligned to the Government’s health agenda—particularly the uninterrupted availability of affordable and quality medicines through the national public health supply chain.

The engagement builds on earlier MIU visits to CMST and interface meetings with health facilities, aimed at strengthening service delivery monitoring from warehouse to end-user level. The focus remains evidence-based tracking of performance targets under the President’s manifesto implementation dashboard in the President’s Office.

RMS North Manager, Mr Innocent Mbowela, reaffirmed the facility’s commitment to serving the Northern Region with diligence and professionalism. He noted that RMS North remains guided by obligation and readiness to meet client needs across public and faith-based facilities.

MIU Service Design and Re-engineering Specialist, Counsel George Matipwiri, underscored the high expectations placed on CMST in delivering the health component of the national agenda. He emphasised the need for coordinated institutional support to ensure reforms translate into measurable public value.

CMST Quality Assurance Manager and MIU Project Facilitator, Mr David Kulemela, stated that the Trust stands ready to serve the public with due care and integrity. He said CMST’s ongoing reforms agenda challenges the institution to continually transform systems, strengthen accountability, and enhance customer experience across its three regions.

RMS North supplies medicines and medical supplies to Mzuzu Central Hospital; seven District Health Offices (DHOs) overseeing 140 public health centres; and 15 facilities under the Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM). The MIU and CMST delegation is expected to proceed to Mzuzu Central Hospital and Mzimba Urban Hospital to appreciate client-side perspectives on medicine availability and supply chain responsiveness.

The MIU is currently overseeing implementation of 716 presidential commitments across key priority areas—popularly framed as the “4Fs and 1M”: forex, fertiliser, food, fuel and medicines—working through relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). In the health sector, CMST remains a strategic enabler of this promise architecture.

This collaborative performance monitoring fits squarely within the long-term vision of Malawi 2063, which aspires to an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation. During the 2025 presidential campaign cycle, competing candidates consistently pledged to prioritise service delivery beyond electoral seasons—committing to institutional reforms that outlive political terms and anchor development in measurable results.

The MIU model operationalises that pledge by translating manifesto promises into trackable KPIs, ensuring continuity between campaign commitments and long-term national development outcomes.

The MIU team commended CMST’s operations across its establishments and reiterated the importance of data-driven collaboration in guaranteeing improved service delivery and sustained national health gains.

13/02/2026

CMST, MIU AND HEALTH FACILITIES ALIGN ON HEALTH KPIs TO ADVANCE MANIFESTO DELIVERY

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) and the Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) have engaged with Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and Blantyre District Health Office (Blantyre DHO) to harmonise efforts in implementing health-related Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under the Manifesto Implementation Dashboard in the President’s Office.

Speaking during the meetings, MIU Systems Design and Reengineering Specialist, Counsel George Matipwiri, emphasized the importance of strengthened collaboration between CMST and health facilities in delivering on agreed health performance targets. He noted that all stakeholders must work in concert to serve the public in line with the Government’s agenda, as articulated in its manifesto and campaign commitments.

Director General of QECH, Dr Patrick Kamalo, welcomed the engagement, describing initiatives aimed at improving patient welfare as both timely and necessary. He affirmed the hospital’s commitment to enhancing service delivery and meeting the expectations of its clientele.

Mr Chikumbutso Innocent Mvula, Chief Preventive Health Officer, representing the Blantyre Director of Health and Social Services, Dr Gift Kawalazira, highlighted the already strong working relationship between the DHO and CMST. He added that deepening collaboration—particularly in tracking and achieving agreed KPIs—would further strengthen service delivery at district level.

CMST Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Vincent Chilinda, observed that the deliberations had reinforced not only the routine operational relationship between CMST and health facilities, but also the strategic coordination among CMST, the facilities, and the MIU. He stressed that as a service arm to health facilities, CMST must work both for and with its clients to ensure that the expected KPIs are effectively met.

The engagements reaffirmed a shared commitment to coordinated planning, accountability, and results-driven implementation in the health sector, in alignment with the national development agenda.

13/02/2026

MIU CONDUCTS KPI INITIATION VISIT AT CMST’S RMS SOUTH

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) has today hosted the Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) Team at Regional Medical Stores (RMS) South in Blantyre to appreciate operations at customer service level.

The visit will later extend to Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital to provide the MIU team with a client-side perspective on medicine availability and supply chain performance.

Speaking during the visit, MIU Team Leader and Counsel, Mr George Matipwiri, said the engagements are critical in anchoring the Unit’s decision-making and support mechanisms toward successful accomplishment of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on the MIU dashboard.

He said the MIU is tracking performance across five priority areas derived from campaign commitments — food, fertiliser, fuel, forex and medicines — with medicines being a central pillar of public service delivery.

RMS South, the largest of CMST’s three regional hubs, serves Zomba Central Hospital, Zomba Mental Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, as well as 13 District Health Offices. Collectively, these facilities anchor a catchment of over 350 public and affiliated health centres under the Ministry of Health.

Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Vincent Chilinda, emphasised CMST’s commitment to continuous improvement and appreciated the MIU’s pledged support in helping the Trust meet the KPIs expected under the medicines pillar.

Today’s engagement follows a similar meeting held in Lilongwe a few days ago, as the MIU continues nationwide monitoring and collaboration with key implementing institutions.

12/02/2026

CMST OPENS 2026–2027 PROCUREMENT PLANNING SESSION

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) has officially opened a two-day Procurement Planning Session for the 2026–2027 financial year, with management calling for disciplined, lawful and financially responsible planning to safeguard public health delivery.

Opening the session, CMST Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chikaiko Chadzunda, described procurement planning as the backbone of an efficient health supply chain and a key determinant of medicine availability nationwide.

Dr Chadzunda acknowledged that while CMST operates in a challenging environment, those challenges do not in any way create excuses for non-compliance with the law or failure to meet public health expectations.

“Our challenges must never become justification for non-performance. We are obligated to comply with the law and to fulfil the public health mandate entrusted to us,” he said.

He further assured participants that CMST will intensify stakeholder engagement to identify practical and sustainable solutions to supply chain constraints. He challenged the team to develop a procurement plan that, to the best ability of its financial support, diligently and accurately serves public health gains.

Director of Procurement and Disposal, Dr Charles Khombeni, reminded participants that procurement planning is not optional but a legal requirement under the PPDA Act of 2025, which mandates the production of annual procurement plans.

“This session is not only strategic and operational in nature; it is also a serious conformance issue. We must ensure full compliance with the law,” said Dr Khombeni.

Director of Pharmaceutical Operations, Mr Geoffrey Ngwira, emphasized that thorough and realistic planning directly translates into availability of life-saving commodities across the country.

“When procurement planning is properly done, we safeguard the availability of essential medicines and medical supplies for the people we serve,” he said.

Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Vincent Chilinda, assured the meeting that his Directorate stands ready to provide financial support to the approved plan. He urged participants to adopt creative and disciplined planning approaches, ensuring activities are cost-conscious and aligned with realistic cashflow projections.

“We must craft a plan that lives within CMST’s means, with well-controlled costs and clear alignment to expected financial inflows,” said Mr Chilinda, expressing confidence that the session would produce a practical and sustainable roadmap for 2026–2027.

The two-day session brings together management and technical teams to align procurement priorities with institutional capacity, legal obligations and national public health expectations.

10/02/2026

CMST IIC OVERSEES SMOOTH BID OPENING PROCESS

Today, the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) successfully concluded a bid opening exercise for 17 reproductive health medicines and 60 medical equipment bids.

Representing the CMST Institutional Integrity Committee (IIC), Miss Catherine Mbughi said the entire process was conducted transparently and in full compliance with established laws and procedures.

She said CMST procurements are of high value and must be safeguarded from initiation, through bid opening, on to delivery and final payment, underscoring the critical role of IIC oversight in preventing fraud or corruption.

“I am glad that today the entire process went on smoothly, with all procedures duly followed,” said Mbughi.

10/02/2026

CMST HOSTS MANIFESTO IMPLEMENTATION UNIT (MIU) FROM STATE HOUSE

Today, the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) is hosting a team from the Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) in the State House for an orientation on CMST’s preparedness to deliver on priorities under the Government’s manifesto implementation framework.

MIU Team Leader, the Service redesign and reengineering Specialist, Counsel George Matipwiri, said the Unit was established to ensure that campaign promises — once adopted as government agenda — are implemented efficiently and without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. He said that MIU works closely with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to align plans, discuss implementation strategies, and negotiate institutional support where required.

Counsel Matipwiri added that the manifesto currently under implementation aligns with national and long-term development strategies, with key focus areas including improved management of food, fuel, fertiliser, foreign exchange and medicines.

CMST Chief Executive Officer, Dr Chikaiko Chadzunda, welcomed the MIU team and commended the Unit for its proactive engagement. He reaffirmed CMST’s results-oriented approach and commitment to surpassing agreed targets through strong collaboration with MIU.

CMST is a key player in the national medicines and medical supply chain, with core deliverables centred on procurement, warehousing, distribution and availability of quality essential medicines.

The Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Vincent Chilinda, who also serves as the MIU Project Coordinator for the Trust, said the visiting team would be taken through CMST’s operational processes, including achievements and challenges, as well as a physical tour of storage facilities to appreciate stock holding levels.

02/02/2026

MINISTRY DELIGHTS IN REVIEW OF MEDICINE PRIORITIES

The Chief of Health Services Dr Andrew Likaka has challenged participants at the ongoing review of the Medicines and Medical Supplies Must Have List to streamline priorities across the public health spectrum to ensure efficient and responsive service delivery.

He was officially opening of the review meeting of the two-day Medicines and Medical Supplies (MMS) Must Have List. He said medicines make one of top five priorities for government and therefore need serious and strategic interventions to ensure continuous availability.

He further challenged the Trust to explore long-term strategic initiatives, including local manufacturing of medical products, to reduce reliance on imports and ease pressure on the health supply chain.

Dr Likaka then issued a stern warning against theft of medicines and medical supplies in health facilities, stating that his office will deal decisively with such practices. He commended CMST for supporting the Tip-Offs Anonymous initiative, noting that the public is increasingly using the platform to report theft and other malpractices.

Chairperson of the National Medicines Committee, Dr Chimota Phiri, said the review of the Must-Have List is expected to enhance streamlining of basic care across the public health sector.

CMST Chief Executive Officer Dr Chikaiko Chadzunda reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to supporting the health system through a secure, transparent and efficient supply chain, pledging continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure medicines and medical supplies reach facilities where they are needed most.

The meeting, facilitated by the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), is reviewing the Must-Have List (MHL) for Medicines and Medical Supplies, a key tool that guides procurement and distribution across Malawi’s public health system.

It has brought together technical experts from Central and District Hospitals, alongside officials from CMST and MoHS, to review and validate a prioritised list of essential medicines and medical supplies to strengthen prioritisation, improve availability of critical commodities and promote efficient use of limited resources, in line with national treatment guidelines and service delivery needs.

02/02/2026

CMST, MOH IN MUST HAVE LIST REVIEW

The Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) will today commence facilitation of a two-day workshop to review the Must-Have List (MHL) for Medicines and Medical Supplies (MMS).

The meeting brings together technical experts from Central and District Hospitals, alongside CMST and MoHS officials, to review and validate a prioritised list of products that guide procurement and distribution across the public health system.

The review aims to strengthen prioritisation, improve availability of critical commodities and enhance efficient use of limited resources, in line with national treatment guidelines and service delivery needs.

Chairperson of the National Medicines Committee, Dr Chimota Phiri, expects the review to enhance streamlining of basic care across the public health sector.

30/01/2026

The CMST Board of Trustees’ orientation workshop has successfully concluded, marking a key milestone in strengthening governance and strategic oversight at the Trust.

Closing the three-day session, Board Chairperson Mrs Tadala Hamisi-Mengezi commended facilitators from the Department of Statutory Corporations (DSC) and the Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) from State House for guiding Trustees on governance expectations and alignment to national priorities. She also recognised fellow Trustees and CMST Management for their commitment and active participation.

Representing the Comptroller of the Department of Statutory Corporations, Mr Penjani Kayira reminded the Board of the need to be firm with its plans and to maintain continued vigilance through regular monitoring and evaluation of agreed work plans, targets and performance indicators.

Mrs Hamisi-Mengezi reaffirmed the Board’s resolve to strengthen corporate governance, align CMST oversight to the Government Manifesto and Malawi 2063 aspirations, and ensure the Trust delivers on its mandate in the public interest.

In his remarks, CMST Chief Executive Officer Dr Chikaiko Chadzunda committed Management’s full support to the Board, pledging to diligently implement Board direction and translate strategic guidance into operational results.

Central Medical Stores Trust - Malawi

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Monday	07:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	07:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	07:30 - 16:30
Thursday	07:30 - 16:30
Friday	07:30 - 16:30