Kitui County Receives Ksh. 80 Million Worth of Medical Supplies from KEMSA

By YOANA KIMWELE.

In what is said to be major boost to the county’s healthcare system, Kitui County has received a fresh consignment of drugs valued at Ksh. 79 million from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). This delivery comes just a week after the county distributed medical supplies worth Ksh. 8.9 million to major hospitals, including Kitui County Referral Hospital and Mwingi Level IV Hospital.

The latest consignment is part of a broader initiative to ensure that all 308 county health facilities are adequately stocked with essential medications. During the launch of the drug distribution, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, Ms. Ruth Koki, announced that all county health facilities would be fully stocked within the next two weeks. She emphasized that the newly received drugs are expected to last for the next four months, providing a reliable supply for the county’s healthcare system.

Ms. Koki highlighted that Kitui is the first county in Kenya to receive such a substantial consignment, despite having originally ordered Ksh. 111 million worth of drugs but receiving Ksh. 80 million due to supply constraints. She attributed the timely receipt of the drugs to Kitui County’s reputation at KEMSA for prompt payment, which has positioned the county as a priority recipient of medical supplies.

To address the shortfall from the initial order, Ms. Koki revealed that the county plans to source the remaining drugs from other suppliers, including the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS). This proactive approach aims to ensure that the county’s healthcare facilities remain well-stocked and capable of meeting the needs of its residents.

Chief Officer in charge of Drugs and Medical Supplies, Mr. Aggrey Kamba, assured the public that the days of drug shortages in county health facilities are over. He stated that the county government has implemented robust measures to prevent the frequent drug shortages experienced in the past. These measures are part of the county’s commitment to improving healthcare services and ensuring that all health centers remain well-stocked.

Mr. Kamba also addressed concerns about the misappropriation of government hospital drugs, which have previously ended up in private pharmacies. He reassured the public that stringent controls have been put in place to prevent such occurrences, ensuring that drugs intended for public hospitals are used exclusively for their intended purpose

Ends //