of medical drugs and equipment worth Shs.52 million from KEMSA to the
county health facilities on Wednesday May 9, 2018. Photo by KNA.
The Health department in Vihiga County received a major boost following flagging off of the second consignment of drugs, non-pharmaceutical equipment and lab reagents all worth Sh. 52 million from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
The Vihiga Governor, Dr. Wilbur Ottichillo officially received the consignment from KEMSA officials led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in charge of South Rift Region, Kenneth Bukachi on Wednesday.
The consignment consisted of drugs worth Shs.37milion and non-pharmaceutical equipment totaling to Shs.15million.
Addressing county residents immediately after the flag off outside County headquarters in Mbale town, Ottichilo thanked KEMSA for honoring a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two parties last year.
“KEMSA’s commitment would ensure better living standards for our residents as a result of improved health services due to uninterrupted supply of drugs, non-pharmaceuticals and lab reagents to all gazetted health facilities in the county,” noted Ottichilo.
The governor reassured KEMSA of his government’s commitment toward settlement of all outstanding debts as per agreed timelines set in the MoU.
Ottichilo at the same time praised KEMSA’s Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) concept, saying it would ensure prudent management of drugs and equipment.
LMIS is a computerized device used to monitor movement of drugs from issuance, receipt, restocking, to usage, as a way of curbing shortages caused by fraudulent use of the same.
Ottichilo said the MoU would ensure constant availability of drugs, non pharmaceuticals and lab reagents in all county health facilities.
The County boss warned of dire consequences on any health officer found misappropriating drugs or equipment.
On his part, Bukachi assured the governor of uninterrupted supply of essential drugs and equipment.
“The main objective is to ensure Kenyans living in Vihiga County access better health services,” Bukachi told the elated crowd.
The County Deputy Governor, Dr. Patrick Saisi also thanked the drugs supplies authority.
“As a result, Vihiga becomes the first county to deliver drugs to the health facilities twice within six months; the first consignment having been flagged off in November last year,” said Saisi.
“Constant supply of drugs to our health facilities would ensure the county has a healthy workforce necessary for sustainable growth and development,” he added.
He assured KEMSA officers that the drugs and equipment will be monitored from receipt to usage by the County Health Facilities Management Committee.
Also in attendance were Vihiga County Secretary, Francis Ominde, County Executive for Health, Dr. Amos Kutwa and his counterparts from other departments, Chief Officers from Medical Services and Public Health departments among others.
By Maurice Aluda
