Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe flagged off drugs and Medical supplies worth Sh 81.5 million set to be delivered to 306 health facilities across the county, to aggregate efforts in providing quality healthcare.
Presiding the ceremony held at the County Referral Hospital, Malombe said the consignment of assorted pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical commodities based on the disease patterns in the county will boost healthcare to the local residents.
The governor revealed the county had cleared all the accrued debts from KEMSA and MEDS totaling Sh. 144 million to facilitate smooth supply from these institutions and cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship and to ensure smooth running of the supply chain.
He further added that the county expects drugs and other medical supplies to be delivered in the next three weeks. “Going forward, we expect that drugs and other medical supplies will be supplied in time and in the ordered quantities as discussed with the two key partners (KEMSA and MEDS),” he said.
The Governor further pointed out that his government will recruit 2,470 County Health Volunteers for the 247 villages in efforts to enhance primary health of preventive and promotive health care.
Among his plans include establishing Teaching and Referral hospitals in both Kitui and Mwingi, continually upgrade healthcare facilities, and establish modern maternity facilities in all hospitals.
Other health sector priority areas in his plan are to equip maternity units in selected healthcare facilities, construct the Nzamba Kitonga Memorial Hospital in Mutitu/Kaliku among others as part of his development plan.
The Deputy Governor Mr. Augustine Kanani, who accompanied his boss at the flagging off ceremony, added that their administration is looking forward to automating health facilities.
“As we move to the next step, we are looking on automating our health facility services to enhance quality services delivery to our people,” said the Deputy Governor.
In October last year, Malombe flagged off similar consignment worth Sh 108 million of assortment drugs and medical supplies to the 306 health facilities across the county.
Other county officers and invited guests present during the flagging off ceremony included, the Kitui County Executive Member for Health Ruth Koki, Bernard Sila chairperson of the county committee of health in the assembly, several county CECMs, KEMSA officers, scores of county chief officers and clergymen, officers of County Chamber Of Commerce, health workers and members of the public.
By Denson Mututo and Margaret Omondi
