GOVERNOR OPARANYA TO KEMSA: DON’T SUSPEND SUPPLIES TO COUNTIES

Governor Dr Wycliffe Oparanya has asked Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) not to suspend medical supplies to Counties due to debts.

He said such move disrupts services at the health facilities causing suffering to innocent Kenyans.

Oparanya said he was aware that health sectors in some counties faced a serious crisis accassioned by a decision by KEMSA to suspend supply of drugs and other medical equipments due to non payment of debts amounting to billions of shillings.

Speaking when KEMSA board led by their chairman Kembi Getura paid him a courtesy call in his office, the Kakamega Governor said suspending supplies to Counties affects services and also compromises quality as the affected counties opt to get drugs from other suppliers.

“We should engage in negotiations on how to handle debts to avoid cases of supplies being suspended. Counties owe the agency money not because they like it but as a result of cash flow problems caused by National Treasury,” said Dr Oparanya.

Mr Getura revealed that County Governments owe the agency Ksh 2.5 billion urging them to negotiate on plans of how to pay the debt.

“We want to negotiate with all Counties that owe us so that they start reducing the debt,” said Getura.

Dr Oparanya also urged the agency to establish a region depot in Kakamega to cater for Western region.

“I request to have distribution centers and depot in Kakamega to serve this region,” said Dr Oparanya.

The Governor asked the board to clean up the mess caused by ‘Covid-19 millionaires’ to restore public confidence.

On his part Mr Getura affirmed their commitment for an effective agency offering quality services.

“We will come out of the mess more stronger than before. We want to create more efficiency in serving our clients,” said Getura.

Deputy Governor Prof Philip Kutima, Dr Collins Matemba CECM for Health Services, KEMSA board members among others were present.