The Iten County Referral Hospital has received drugs worth Sh7 million from the Kemsa Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) as Governor Wesley Rotich moves to address drugs shortage in the county.
Speaking when he received the drugs, Rotich, the Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor said this was the first consignment adding more drugs would be delivered to sub county hospitals in the course of the this week.
“We are hoping that all health facilities and dispensaries will have their supplies by next week,” he said.
Rotich called on residents to be on the lookout and report any private chemist selling drugs with a GOK label to stem the theft of drugs from public hospitals to benefit a few unscrupulous people.
He warned that stern action will be taken against anyone selling drugs meant for public health facilities.
The Governor also called on the management of the Iten hospital to ensure they make arrangements to purchase other essential drugs not in the consignment to end the culture of patients being referred to chemists to buy drugs.
He said the consignment has been made available as a result of his negotiations with the Kemsa CEO at her office in Nairobi.
During his swearing in last week, the Governor vowed to address the issue of drugs shortage and called on the County Assembly to increase allocation for drugs to ensure there are enough drugs in health facilities.
Noting that health was one of his priorities as he takes over, the Governor also plans to automate drug supply system to track issuance of drugs and also alert the authorities before the drugs run out.
By Alice Wanjiru
