The Narok Governor, Samuel Tunai on Friday flagged off a consignment of drugs worth Sh.9 million to various health facilities in the county ahead of the National Madaraka Day Celebrations.
During the flagging off occasion at the Narok Referral Hospital, Governor Tunai said all the 30 health facilities in the county will be well equipped as the county expects to receive many visitors before, on and after Madaraka day.
“We want to be well prepared to receive the many visitors who will be visiting our county. One way to do it is by ensuring that our hospitals have enough drugs to meet the high demand that may arise,” said Tunai.
The County boss announced that the hospitals had started receiving a huge number of patients among them the military and government officials who were preparing for the national event.
Tunai gave a stern warning to medics who divert drugs from public health facilities to stock their own private hospitals wondering why some health facilities were usually reported having expired medicine and others ran short of stock normally a month after restocks.
He ordered the County Health Director, Dr. Francis Kiio to give a report on the stock of medicine in health facilities following a public outcry that there was shortage of drugs in the hospitals.
“You must follow up and give me a report on why drugs disappear from the hospital few days after stocking all the health centers in the county,” he said.
The governor’s remarks come amidst numerous complaints over lack of drugs in the hospital where the pharmacists turn them away to buy drugs in private chemists.
Tunai reiterated that his administration was committed to fulfilling the Big Four Agenda of the national government by the year 2022 hence assured residents of affordable health care for all.
In the current budget 2018/2019, the county government allocated Sh.221 million for construction of health centres and an additional sh.200 given for leasing medical equipment.
The sh.149 million was allocated for drugs while sh.94.5 million was given for ambulance services in the county.
Persons above 65 years old will also enjoy free medical cover in the next financial year as Sh. 40 Million was set aside for their medication.
By Ann Salaton
