West Pokot County government has procured drugs worth Ksh 48 million from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to boost supplies in the County health facilities.
Governor Simon Kachapin, yesterday flagged off the consignment of drugs and medical supplies that will be distributed to health facilities within the county.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony at Kapenguria county Hospital, Governor Kachapin said that the county government, through the ministry of health, bought the drugs to boost the supplies in the county hospitals.
“This procurement will boost supplies in our hospitals and is part of my government’s plan to increase access to affordable healthcare,” said Kachapin.
He explained that the batch of medical supplies was procured for the first quarter of 2016-2017 and announced that more medical supplies will be dispatched on a quarterly basis throughout the year.
“We have received drugs worth 18 million and another 30 million is on the way,”he said.
Governor Kachapin lauded the effort made by health officials within his government, whom he said are at the forefront in developing and implementing programs meant to improve the health standards in the county.
“We have ensured that all our health facilities get enough supply of drugs so that our people can access better services. I am happy about the medical staff and the medical superintendent,” he said.
He stated that health institutions in the county have improved since devolution was introduced.
“Right now reliability to drugs is consistent and the feedback from our people is good,” he said. “We are targeting to improve the health status of our people who have suffered for a long time. We want to make sure that we improve all programs under the health sector.”
The county boss disclosed that the county government has employed more health practitioners in different cadres to boost man power in health facilities and to minimize referrals.
Kachapin asked the national government to ensure that the county has health centers that are within reach.
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“It is disappointing that the Cancer center in Eldoret is not working well. The government should set up many cancer centers in the region. Cancer is now a threat and many patients are forced to seek medication in India,” he reiterated.
He cited that there is need to screen cancerous diseases for early treatment in case one is found to have cancer.
He warned county leaders over politicizing the health sector. “We should be proactive and sensitive on issues affecting the health sector and we should solve problems amicably,”he said.
