Residents of Trans Nzoia County have a reason to smile after the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) delivered a consignment of drugs and non-pharmaceuticals worth Sh53 million.
On Monday, local Governor George Natembeya flagged off the consignment whose content will be distributed to all the 84 public health facilities across the county.
Addressing the press present at county health offices, Natembeya hailed KEMSA for what he observed as timely delivery of the request placed by his administration.
“Even though we had placed a requisition order for drugs and non-pharmaceuticals of Sh84 million, I am happy KEMSA has fulfilled slightly over half of the same,” said Natembeya.
He appealed to the drugs supplier to ensure delivery of the remainder to enable the devolved unit meet the demands by the pharmaceutically-starved hospitals and thereby improve delivery of health services to the locals.
“We are heavily banking on supplies from KEMSA to meet the ever increasing treatment and medication demands by patients in the county,” he noted.
The Governor warned health officers in the region against theft and misappropriation of drugs meant for public health facilities.
“We have cases in which drugs branded Government of Kenya (GoK) labels have found ways to private hospitals, pharmacies and even to several parts of Uganda. This has to stop,” appealed Natembeya.
The chief executive Officer of KEMSA Ms. Terry K Ramadan said the firm has put in place measures to ensure the supply to county governments was steady.
She cited Trans Nzoia as being among devolved units that were in good books with the supplier due to timely payment of supplies.
Present during the flag off were included, County Secretary Mrs Truphosa Amere, the CECS Samson Ojwang (PSM), Pepela Wanjala (Health), Boniface Wanyonyi (Finance), Janerose Mutama (Land), Jackson Amboka (Works), Chief Officers Emmanuel Wanjala (Health) Chief of Staff Dickson Wamocho among others.
By Maurice Aluda and Maccan Ivy
