Patients and county residents have heaved a sigh of relief after sub-county hospitals across Turkana County received six months’ supply of drugs and non-pharmaceuticals from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure the continuity of quality healthcare services.
This supply comes in response to declining stock levels and shortages of some essential drugs. The timely delivery will assist in minimising disruption to the provision of quality healthcare services.
The sub-county hospitals across Turkana—Lopiding, Kakuma, Kakuma Mission, Lorugum, Kanamkemer, Elelea, Kaikor, Lokichar, Katilu, Kapedo, and Lokori—have received their consignments from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
The entire KEMSA consignment for all the County health facilities (sub-county hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries) is worth Sh119 million.
The Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Ezekiel Etelej, inspected the consignment delivered to Kanamkemer Sub-County Hospital, while at the other hospitals, various stakeholders—board members, county officials, national administration, and community members—participated in the inspection.
Dr. Etelej stated that his department, through the Directorate of Health Products and Technologies, would ensure consistent availability of medical supplies in all county government-owned health facilities.
“The medical services department will continue working closely with KEMSA as outlined in the MoU. We will also ensure that health centres and dispensaries receive their consignments of essential drugs and other supplies by the end of next week,” he said.
The MoU between the county and KEMSA stipulates that the national government agency deliver supplies down to the “last mile.”
By Peter Gitonga
