West Pokot County government has procured drugs worth Ksh 44.6 million from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to boost supplies in the County health facilities.
This is part of the Kshs 70 Million consignment of drugs ordered at KEMSA.
The County also received advanced life support ambulances to be stationed at Kapenguria County referral hospital.
The ambulances are fitted with life saving equipment and will be used during referrals of critical patients.
Area Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo on Tuesday flagged off the consignment of drugs and medical supplies that will be distributed to health facilities in the county.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the Governors residence in Kapenguria, Governor Lonyangapuo said the county government, through its health ministry, bought the drugs to boost the supplies in the county hospitals. “The procurement will boost supplies in our hospitals and is part of my government’s plan to increase access to affordable healthcare procurement will boost supplies in our hospitals,” said Prof Lonyangapuo.
“We have received drugs worth 44.6 million and another 25.4 million is on the way,”he added.
Governor Lonyangapuo lauded the effort by his Health officials within his government, which he said are at the forefront in developing and implementing programmes that are meant to improve the health standards in the county.
“We have ensured all our health facilities get enough supply of drugs so that our people get better services. I am happy about the medical staff, the medical superintendent and all medics,” he said.
He said health institutions in the county have improved in the county since devolution started.
“Right now reliability of drugs is consistent and the feedback from our people is good,”he said.We are targeting to improve the health of our people who for a long time have suffered. We want to make sure that we improve all programmes under the health sector,”he said.
The county boss said the county government has employed more health practitioners in different cadres to boost manpower in health facilities to minimize referrals.
“We have employed doctors, surgeons and many nurses,” Prof Lonyangapuo said.
Prof Lonyangapuo has cautioned politicians in the area for politicizing the health sector in the County.
“We should be proactive and sensitive on issues affecting the health sector. We should solve problems amicably,”he said.
Lonyangapuo hit out at MPs for making noise yet they are the ones who decided in parliament that County should only buy drugs from KEMSA.The County boss reiterated that politicians in the area should keep off politics in the crucial sector in order to improve health services adding that the sector has got a major boost of medical supplies and medical equipment.
“Don’t blame us. KEMSA has no factory to make drugs. There is a procedure to follow in order to get drugs .Let’s follow the law. We pay KEMSA debts on time. We have no plan to steal your money,”he said.
He said that they used Ksh 50 million in April and Kshs 63 million last year.
Prof Lonyangapuo asked the health committee, residents to be alert and monitor how drugs are used.
“Not everyone is a saint.We don’t want drugs to come and go at night
Prof Lonyangapuo said that the intensive care Unit (ICU) at the Kapenguria County referral hospital is ready.
County executive member for health Ms Christine Apokoreng urged health workers to keep records for transparency.
“We don’t want drugs in records but not in store. The County is spending a lot of money in the health sector. We don’t want night transportation of drugs,”he said.
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA)] North Rift representative Mr Zachaus Muya, North said that the drugs will be taken to 125 dispensaries in the County.
He said that the remaining drugs will be brought in the next three weeks.
“West Pokot County has unique challenges that do not need to be compared to other counties .We shall give it priority for residents to access health. We shall be releasing drugs not more than fourteen days from the day of order,”he said.