The health sector in Vihiga County got a boost after Vihiga governor Dr. Wilbur Ottichilo flagged-off drugs worth Kshs 37million and non-pharmaceutical supplies worth Kshs 15 million from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
Ottichilo said the supply will ensure there is a constant availability of drugs, non-pharmaceutical and lab reagents in all County health facilities.
Ottichilo lauded KEMSA for honouring the MoU they signed to supply drugs to curb drug shortage in medical facilities in the area.
He said his government will ensure that commitments between KEMSA and the County government are fulfilled by paying their debt so that past challenges in the health sector don’t recur.
He welcomed the Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) concept introduced by KEMSA where the County government will be able to monitor drugs from dispensation, issuance to restocking in order to prevent drug shortage.
In his speech, KEMSA Chief Executive Officer South Rift region Kenneth Bukachi assured the Governor that KEMSA will help supply drugs to ensure people of Vihiga access good health services. He guaranteed an uninterrupted supply of essential medicine and other medical supplies.
Bukachi said to make their services even better, KEMSA has come up with a new technology “Commodity Dispensing System” that will enable Counties to manage their pharmacies inventory and bridge the gap of data entry done at facilities by having a direct link to the KEMSA Logistic Management Information System (LMIS).
Vihiga County deputy Governor Dr. Patrick Saisi thanked KEMSA for their timely supply of drugs to the County health facilities saying the move will enable the health facilities to have a constant supply of drugs and alleviate drug shortages.
Saisi cited medical supply of drugs and non-pharmaceutical pillars as the most crucial in service delivery in health facilities.
He assured the KEMSA team that the drugs and equipment will be monitored from receipt to usage by the Health Facilities Management Committee.