Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu has flagged off a contingent of drugs and medical supplies worth Sh90 million to be distributed in 133 health facilities in the county.
Ntutu said the drugs were purchased from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) and Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies (MEDS), and would be distributed to all the health facilities in the eight sub-counties.
The governor who was flanked by Narok North Member of Parliament Agnes Pareyio reiterated that the drugs are given free of charge to the patients except for those visiting level four and five hospitals who purchase the drugs at a subsidized price.
“Since we are increasing the number of health facilities, plans are in place to increase the allocation of drugs from Sh90 million to Sh120 million,” he said, adding that the constant distribution of drugs is an indication that his government was committed to boosting health services in the county.
The governor said that records from the hospital show that the population of people visiting the local hospitals has increased in the last one year, compared to the past years where many people used to seek medical services in other counties.
“I am happy because of the work that is happening in our health centers. We had promised our people that they will get better services at ease to improve human health,” Ntutu said.
The County Government of Narok, he said, is set to employ 400 medics in addition to the 1800 currently in service to boost delivery in all the health facilities across the county.
“Following the increasing number of health facilities in the county, we are in the process of recruiting additional medics who will be serving in the various facilities,” he added.
During the function, eight lorries, packed with medicine, were flagged off to transport the drugs to hospitals in the eight sub counties.
He disclosed that the county had set aside Sh400 million this financial year to improve services in the level four hospitals in the county. The hospitals to be improved are, Emurrua Dikirr, Lolgorian, Nairegie Enkare and Ololunga hospital.
Governor Ntutu said the county had withdrawn the services of 11 ambulances that had been hired by the former regime, to pave the way for a better way of running the ambulance services.
“Going forward, we will have six ambulances because we believe that services will be enhanced in our local hospitals such that we will have only few referrals to hospitals outside the county,” he said.
By Ann Salaton
