In 2020, Kenya Medical Provides Authority (KEMSA) blacklisted Taita-Taveta County authorities for failure to pay thousands and thousands of shillings for medication and pharmaceutical merchandise equipped to hospitals within the area.
This meant the county couldn’t get medication and different medical merchandise from KEMSA. The transfer got here after KEMSA concluded the county was unwilling to clear a staggering debt of sh 89 million for medication equipped on credit score.
The blacklisting triggered an unprecedented disaster within the well being sector. A extreme scarcity of medicine gripped the county with hundreds of sufferers being compelled to buy costly medication from non-public chemists.
Others who required specialised therapy have been referred to hospitals exterior the county whereas crucial departments like maternity reportedly run out of fundamental gadgets like gloves, antiseptic and cotton wool placing the lives of expectant moms and infants in nice hazard.
Mr. Gifton Mkaya, the County Government Committee Member (CECM) for Well being Companies says the county is making progress in regaining its creditworthiness with KEMSA.
“We’ve got made efforts to restore our picture, mend our relationships and get again to KEMSA’s good books,” he says
Amongst the efforts the county has made embody making funds of over sh 60 million to clear the KEMSA invoice. Senior County officers have additionally held a number of conferences with the KEMSA staff to fix the tattered relations between the 2 entities. Current in all these engagements is the county unequivocal pledge and dedication to pay all of the remaining balances.
Presently, Taita-Taveta County owes KEMSA sh 20.3 million; an quantity Governor Andrew Mwadime says will probably be cleared as soon as the county receives its allocation from the nationwide authorities.
These debt funds and the conferences have began yielding outcomes. This week, KEMSA eliminated Taita-Taveta from the listing of blacklisted counties in what’s being seen as the start of a brand new daybreak for provide of medicine within the area. In a pointer of issues to come back, KEMSA equipped a heavy consignment of various medication price sh 33.3 million to the county. This consignment is predicted to final for 3 months and revamp the medical shares out there in hospitals, dispensary and well being facilities throughout the county.
Talking in Mwatate in the course of the flagging off of this drug consignment, KEMSA County Assist Supervisor Esther Somoire mentioned the dedication from the county to clear the drug debt was an indicator of sheer goodwill by leaders looking for options for his or her individuals.
Ms. Somoire acknowledged that Taita-Taveta County’s account with KEMSA that had been suspended attributable to non-payment of the debt had been reactivated to permit the county to order medication and different prescription drugs.
“The governor and his staff have proven dedication to pay the debt and we now have promised to be delivering medication when requested to,” she mentioned.
She additionally mentioned that KEMSA had adopted a system that allowed quick-delivery of medicine with a turn-around time of a most of 10-days. Flip-around time is the interval between when the order for medication is positioned and when medication are delivered.
Prior to now, the turn-around time might prolong to over 60 days adversely affecting service supply in well being amenities.
“We’re dedicated to delivering the medication within the shortest time attainable,” she mentioned.
Governor Andrew Mwadime says the renewal of fine relations between his authorities and KEMSA will see the general public get high quality medication in all amenities. He disclosed that after paying over sh 60 million, KEMSA equipped medication price sh 17.8 million in December final 12 months.
He additional famous that KEMSA had agreed to offer the county a credit score window of 120 days to pay for medication equipped.
“That is what I’ve been pushing for to get companions to advertise our well being agenda. We’re grateful KEMSA has restored our credit score facility and we decide to pay the money owed owed,” mentioned the governor.
KEMSA and the county authorities have entered into a brand new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over the provision of medicine and the modalities of constructing funds. The MoU is being seen as a central pillar in governor Mwadime’s drive to revamp the well being sector and ship high quality companies to residents.
The governor nevertheless warned towards pilferage of medicine by unscrupulous medical employees.
By Wagema Mwangi
Supply: kenyanews
