CMS Transformation; New digital system on the cards
By Kwanele Dhladhla
The long-awaited transformation of the Central Medical Stores (CMS) has officially begun, marking a major step toward modernising Eswatini’s public health supply chain.
The process has been set in motion through the phasing out of the outdated Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 system, paving the way for a more advanced, fully integrated digital platform.
This development was revealed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) issued by the Eswatini Public Procurement Regulatory Agency (ESPPRA), which outlined government’s commitment to transform CMS into a semi-autonomous entity known as the Eswatini Medical Supply Service (EMSA).
According to the EOI, EMSA would function as a high-performing public health supply chain agency tasked with ensuring efficient, transparent, and accountable management of medical supplies nationwide.
“The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini is transforming the Central Medical Stores into the Eswatini Medical Supply Service (EMSA), a semi-autonomous, high-performing public health supply chain agency.
As part of this transformation, EMSA will upgrade its current ERP system from Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017 to Microsoft Dynamics 365,” reads EOI in part.
It has been explained that the upgrade to Microsoft Dynamics 365 represents a critical part of Eswatini’s national vision to modernise health logistics. It was expected to strengthen efficiency, enhance transparency, and ensure accountability within the supply chain, aligning operations with Ministry of Health priorities and donor expectations.
As a semi-autonomous entity, EMSA stands to take full control of its finances, operations, and performance, implementing a robust, modern Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as a necessity.
It was pointed out that the current system, NAV2017, has served as a foundational warehouse management platform, but was now considered obsolete.
Its limited ability to integrate with complementary systems such as OpenLMIS and CMIS had created operational bottlenecks, including duplicate data entry, fragmented reporting, and poor visibility into stock levels.
Low digital maturity across some functions and limited infrastructure capacity had also hindered the system’s effectiveness.
It was explained that EMSA’s future operating model envisions real-time, integrated, and automated workflows across warehouse management, procurement, finance, customer service, and data reporting, capabilities that the current system cannot deliver without significant and costly retrofitting.
The upgraded ERP platform could consolidate key functions into a single, unified system, offering interoperability with national health systems such as the Laboratory Information System (LIS), OpenLMIS, CMIS, and the National Product Catalogue.
Beyond improving data integration, it has been stated that the system would enable data-driven decision-making, regulatory compliance, and enhanced auditability.
It can also introduce real-time analytics and data visualisation dashboards accessible to all registered users, ensuring that management decisions are informed by accurate, up-to-date information.
Officials described the ERP implementation as the digital backbone for EMSA’s future growth and sustainability. It was emphasised that the investment underscores CMS’s readiness to evolve from a foundational government unit into a tech-driven, autonomous health supply chain leader.
“This marks a major leap toward a more accountable, efficient, and resilient medical supply system in Eswatini. With this transformation, CMS is laying the groundwork for long-term operational excellence,” an official to the process said.
He added that the move signals the government’s firm commitment to strengthening Eswatini’s health sector through technology and innovation while ensuring that the supply of medicines and medical equipment keeps pace with the country’s growing healthcare demands.