Embu County has received medical supplies worth Sh19 million from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) for Embu Level Five Hospital in a move geared towards reviving the ailing health system.
More supplies of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products are expected in the days to come for the level four hospitals all the way down to dispensaries according to Governor Cecily Mbarire.
While receiving the consignment at the facility on Tuesday, Mbarire warned that pilferage of drugs that was a common practice in the past regime would not be tolerated.
“I want to give notice to officers and staff who have been assisting and aiding theft of medical supplies from the hospital to stock their private chemists that their days are numbered,” she said.
She said private chemists that would be found selling government branded drugs would be closed down and operators prosecuted.
Mbarire who delivered the drugs alongside padlocks for safe custody of the drugs, directed the hospital management led by CEO Dr. Daniel Mugendi to ensure there was proper daily monitoring of their usage.
She said plans were also underway to automate services to have proper inventory management to avoid stock outs and theft as well as increase revenue collection capacity.
“My main priority at the moment is to revive healthcare to ensure our people have access to quality and affordable services,” she reported.
She also promised to look into the welfare of healthcare workers including settling all unremitted statutory deductions from the previous regime, promotion and review of terms of contractual workers.
The Governor also said they were exploring the possibility of making the facility semi-autonomous to allow it plough back the revenue it generates to improve services.
“The facility has the capacity of generating up to Sh. 700 million annually, which if used at source, can greatly transform healthcare provision in the county,” she said.
By Samuel Waititu
