Kilifi county government has received a consignment of medical supplies worth Sh176- million from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to boost the delivery of health services in the region.
The consignment which was received by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi alongside his County Executive Member for Health Charles Dadu outside his Kilifi office consisted of pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals, laboratory and other specialized medical products.
During the event, Kingi also flagged off the distribution of the medicines, where trucks carrying the stock were commissioned to deliver drugs to 150 health facilities across the county including six hospitals and 144 rural health facilities.
“We have received a consignment of drugs from KEMSA after the county government placed an order with them. These medicines will go to our major hospitals as well as those health facilities located in our suburbs throughout the county,” Kingi said during a media briefing.
The Governor expressed his gratitude saying the supplies would be of great relief to patients who have been greatly affected by the lack of drugs in hospitals.
However, during his address, the governor disclosed that KEMSA only delivered 44% of the total medicines ordered by the County Government and also failed to deliver critical drugs, especially painkillers which were always in high demand by patients.
He asked the agency to complete the order and deliver the remaining medicines as soon as possible to avoid an occurrence of shortage of drugs in the coming months noting that there has been a recurrence of drug shortages in the past due to delayed supplies from the board.
“The drugs we have received are worth 176 million but the order we sent to KEMSA was worth 385 million. Today we have received 44% of what the County government ordered. So not all drugs have been received,” he said.
“We have had a conversation and told the officer in charge that it is important to act quickly and bring the remaining medicines since the fast-moving drugs in our hospitals, especially painkillers are not in this consignment,” he added.
According to KEMSA Sales and Marketing officer in charge of Kilifi County Lear Gichoya, the stock will last for four months as they work on the next delivery.
By Jackson Msanzu and Harison Yeri
