Nairobi: Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gulacha Waqo has urged governors to settle the outstanding debts owed to the agency to facilitate timely payments to suppliers and ensure the procurement of essential drugs for county health facilities. Dr. Waqo emphasized this during a courtesy visit to Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Waqo highlighted that the funds owed to Kemsa are sufficient to provide an adequate supply of drugs and medical supplies across the country's health facilities. He mentioned that Kemsa plans to engage with governors to determine the allocation of refund amounts from the Social Health Authority (SHA) specifically for drug procurement. This strategy aims to ensure that payments are made directly to Kemsa, thereby facilitating the timely supply of medications to health facilities.
Dr. Waqo pointed out that the provision of drugs remains a significant challenge in the implementation of SHA. He asserted that with an adequate supply of drugs, patients would not be required to spend additional money on purchasing medications. He reiterated Kemsa's commitment to achieving universal health coverage through SHA, enabling all Kenyans to access quality health services without out-of-pocket expenses.
Commending the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government, Dr. Waqo noted their decision to allocate 50% of the SHA refunds to drug procurement, preventing funds from lying idle while facilities face drug shortages. He also reported that SHA's success is evident, as some rural health facilities have claimed over a million shillings, which can now be used to enhance service delivery.
Dr. Waqo further noted the implementation of the Integrated Logistics Management Information System (ILMIS) by Kemsa, allowing counties to order drugs online. This system enables facilities to assess drug availability and place orders accordingly. County pharmacists compile facility requests and forward them to Kemsa for processing.
In addition to healthcare, Dr. Waqo mentioned Kemsa's involvement in environmental conservation through tree planting initiatives in the county. This effort contributes to national goals, including planting 15 billion trees by 2032, promoting both public health and environmental sustainability.