Vihiga Strives to Maintain Steady Supply of Medical Commodities

Vihiga, Wednesday, May 3, 2023

KNA by Sammy Mwibanda

Vihiga county government has procured medical supplies worth Sh. 41 million for distribution to 76 health facilities, with a view of boosting health service provision to the people.

The consignment, from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) consists of drugs valued at Sh31 million and non-pharmaceuticals worth Sh10 million.

The governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo said his administration intends to replenish the stocks every after two months with the last supply having been done in February.

Dr. Ottichilo blamed the delay in the payment of health workers’ salaries to untimely disbursement of sharable revenue from the national treasury.

He disclosed that following the release of the January allocation tranche about two weeks ago, they have been able to pay the workers up to the month of March, while las month’s pay is being processed.

“The Council of Governors (CoG) has in the past week held elaborate deliberations with the National Treasury CS Dr. Njuguna Ndung’u on the issue of disbursement of funds to the devolved units and struck an agreement that would see the monies released on time,” he stated.

The county head urged the health workers to serve diligently and devotedly given that there would be no more delays in the payment of salaries and other emoluments.

He asked the residents from all walks of life to visit the local health facilities for treatment and other health-related services because they have all that is needed.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for health services Dr. Nicholas Mwandihi said they have put in place mechanisms to ensure the supplies are not smuggled out of the hospital stores.

Dr. Mwandishi revealed that there is high level surveillance and regular audits of the commodity stocks in stores so that corrupt workers have no opportunity of stealing the supplies.

Courtesy; K.N.A