Residents of Bomet County expect improved access to quality healthcare following the arrival of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical supplies worth Sh37 million from the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA).
The delivery was officially received and distributed at the Bomet Green Stadium on Tuesday.
Bomet County Health Chief Officer, Felix Langat, led the reception of the medical supplies, highlighting that the shipment marks the second batch of their order from KEMSA.
Just last week, the department distributed a prior delivery to five Level 4 hospitals across the county, including Tegat, Kapkoros, Sigor, and Ndanai in the Sotik sub-county.
“What we are receiving today is the second batch of our order from KEMSA. All items have been sorted according to the facility names, and they will be distributed to all health facilities and dispensaries across the county by our officers,” Langat stated.
Thanks to the last-mile delivery initiative, over 165 healthcare facilities are expected to receive these supplies by the end of the day.
The distribution will cover various sub-counties, with Sotik hosting 38 facilities, Chepalungu with 34, and 20 in Bomet East, while Central and Konoin sub-counties will each receive supplies for 27 facilities.
“Our officers are ready for delivery, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that the drugs, bought with taxpayer money, are delivered to the intended destinations without any alterations, thereby strengthening our healthcare system,” Langat added.
Besidea, Langat urged Bomet residents to register for the newly established Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), a government initiative aimed at enhancing healthcare access.
He emphasized that registration is easy, with County Health Promoters available in every village to assist residents.
Multiple options for registration include online platforms and in-person assistance at designated centers.
“As a county department, we have attached our Community Health Promoters across all facilities to help residents register for the new medical cover. We urge everyone to take advantage of this affordable scheme and secure their health,” Langat encouraged.
The SHIF programme, which became effective on October 1, 2024, was established under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and is designed to provide comprehensive health coverage, including outpatient care, hospitalization, maternal health, and chronic disease management.
This initiative marks a transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to a more accessible medical cover.
By Lamech Willy and Nickson Terer
