Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has assured parents that the county’s hospitals still have vaccines and they should continue taking their children to clinics as usual.
She said the hospitals have enough supplies to last three weeks and that they expect to receive new supplies from the national government in two to three weeks’ time.
“We have received an assurance from the national government that new vaccine supplies will be available in two to three weeks,” Governor Mbarire said.
Her assurance came amid widespread reports that there was a shortage of vaccines in government hospitals across the country.
Government hospitals countrywide are supplied by the Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunisation, which was established in 1980 to ensure all children are immunized against six killer diseases before their first birthday.
She was responding to questions from journalists when she signed the Facilities Improvement Fund Bill enacted by the Embu County Assembly into law. The signing took place in the Governor’s boardroom.
The new Act domesticates the Facilities Improvement Fund Act passed by the National Assembly earlier this year, which introduces limited charges of between Sh50 and Sh100 in Levels 2 to 5 hospitals.
Adults and children aged six and above seeking services in Level 2 to Level 4 facilities will pay Sh50 per visit, while those visiting Embu Level 5 hospital will pay Sh100 for adults and Sh50 for children. All children aged below five will be treated for free.
Governor Mbarire said the act also provides for a waiver system for those who are completely unable to pay, saying nobody would be denied treatment because they cannot afford the minimal fees.
She said the money raised would be retained at the facilities to buy essential and emergency supplies and would be overseen by boards to be constituted for the facilities’ management.
By Steve Gatheru
