Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu has increased the allocation of drugs purchased for the local health centres in the county from Sh40 million to Sh90 million per quarter.
Speaking Tuesday to health stakeholders at a local hotel, Ntutu said the decision to increase the allocation was agreed upon in a meeting with key health stakeholders who observed that the current allocation of Sh40 million was too little for the entire county.
The governor said all the 25 health centres, four referral hospitals and 93 dispensaries in the county should benefit from the free medicine.
“I had a meeting with the medics and they told me to increase the quarterly allocation so that all patients could get free drugs. Already we have ordered drugs from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) which we expect delivery by next week,” he said.
He warned the medics against looting the drugs to benefit their private facilities saying the leadership of the hospitals that will lack drugs will be sacked immediately.
“During my campaigns, I went round the county and many people were complaining of poor health services offered in the hospital. I promised that I would revamp the health sector. This is what I am committed to do,” said Ntutu.
He reiterated that in the past one week, he had visited most of the hospitals in the county and established that most of the health facilities did not have drugs and medics, hence do not benefit the residents.
“I have instructed the medical superintendent to distribute all the health workers evenly in the entire county so that no health facility will be more advantaged than the other,” said Ntutu, adding, no facility should be treated better than the other.
He promised to visit all the hospitals in person to ensure that the medics were offering quality services and there was enough drugs in the hospital.
“The people have given me only a five-year contract. And before they think of firing me for not performing, I will fire most of you if you do not perform,” added Ntutu.
Narok County Director of Health Dr Francis Kiio asked the governor to make orders from KEMSA early enough so that there will be no point that the drugs will lack in hospital because of late delivery.
The meeting was also attended by Narok Government County Secretary Elizabeth Lolchoki, County Executive Member in Charge of Health Morgan Siloma and the health facilities representatives.
By Ann Salaton
