The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Afya Ugavi programme has commended Kakamega County for success in implementing pilot health projects.
The Afya Ugavi Chief of Party (CoP) James Riungu said the success in implementing the projects has enabled the organisation to roll out those projects to other parts of the country.
Riungu was speaking in Kakamega town during the launch of a framework to manage use of drugs in the dubbed Kakamega County Formulary, the latest pilot project on Thursday.
He pointed out other projects as family planning in 2013, Continuous Quality improvement in 2014 and the Health Information System (HIS) tool.
The CoP stated that the framework will guide the county in procurement of drugs in line with the needs and available funds.
He said the county government will put into consideration the prevalent diseases in procurement of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceuticals.
“Other factors outlined to guide in purchase of the commodities are dosage, side effects and the expertise required to dispense the drug to a patient,” he said.
The Chief Officer (CO) for Health Dr Brendah Barasa said through the framework, drugs will be distributed to health facilities with respect to the needs, most common ailments in the area and the availability of expertise for dispensing the drugs.
“The Main aim of the framework is to reduce wastage of monies as some drugs are stocked and expire without being used,” she noted.
She said the framework will enhance patient care, boost efficiency and reduce hospital visits.
“Only safe and most effective medicines which are tested to treat diseases within the region will be stocked,” she stated.
By Moses Wekesa
