The county government of Marsabit has blamed delays by the National Treasury in releasing funds to the county for an acute shortage of drugs and medical supplies that has hit local health facilities.
The Deputy Governor (DG), Solomon Gubo while regretting that the crisis had exposed residents to pain and inconveniences said his administration was doing everything possible to arrest the situation.
Gubo also faulted the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) for halting the supply of pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals despite efforts by the county to clear an outstanding debt.
The department of health owes KEMSA Sh.22 million in unpaid requisitions done last financial year.
The DG said failure by the National Treasury was impacting negatively on the health sector as the universal health coverage cannot be effected through the national health insurance fund (NHIF) as planned.
He said that everything was being done to restore the supply from KEMSA in the course of this week in order to normalize operations in the 118 health facilities across the county.
Gubo called for calm among residents and asked elected leaders to help in passing over the right information about the challenges the devolved unit was facing.
The Marsabit County Assembly committee on health has decried lack of medicine and medical kits in public dispensaries, health centre and hospitals since May this year.
The Committee Chairperson, Asunta Galgidhele said it was unacceptable for residents who majorly depend on public health facilities for treatment and other services to be sent to privately owned medical outlets and chemists to buy drugs which they can hardly afford.
Reliable sources at the assembly disclosed that some members were planning a censure motion against county executive committee members for finance and health departments whom they accuse of ineptitude.
By Sebastian Miriti
