Mbale: Vihiga governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has flagged off the distribution of essential medical supplies worth Sh24 million, aimed at boosting health care across the county. The medical supplies, delivered by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), will be distributed to the Vihiga County Referral Hospital, all sub-county hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking during the exercise at the county headquarters in Mbale, Dr. Ottichillo said this was part of the broader county health strategy, aimed at strengthening service delivery and ensuring consistent access to essential medicines. The governor, flanked by his deputy, Wilberforce Kitiezo, also called for accountability and proper use of the drugs, warning against any diversion of the same to private outlets.
"These drugs are public property. I urge all health officers to use them correctly and for the benefit of our people," he reiterated. He further cautioned healthcare workers and private chemists against engaging in illegal sales of the supplied medicines. "Let it be known that these drugs are not for private sale. Anyone caught diverting them will face legal consequences. This amounts to theft of public resources," Dr. Ottichilo warned.
The governor further noted that all medical supplies have been digitized and tagged with unique codes, enabling KEMSA and the county government to track their distribution and usage. Residents were also encouraged to enroll with the government's Social Health Authority (SHA), which Dr. Ottichilo said will allow local facilities to access funds to support operations and procure additional Health Products and Technologies (HPTs).
The County Pharmacist Benjamin Kaitani disclosed that the Sh24 million consignment is the first batch of a larger order valued at Sh59 million. "This is just the first batch. More deliveries are expected to fulfill the full order," Kaitani confirmed. The arrival of this consignment is expected to significantly improve health services in the county by ensuring a more consistent and adequate supply of medicines, hence reducing stock-outs and enhancing patient care.