Kemsa: Drug supply up by 50pc thanks to devolution

NAIROBI: Since devolution came into force two years ago, the supply of drugs to public healthcare facilities has increased by over 50 per cent, the Government medical drugs agency has said.

In the first six months of devolution, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) says it supplied medical drugs worth Sh2 billion to the 47 county governments.

Speaking in Mombasa yesterday, Kemsa Chief Executive Officer John Munyu said sales to counties increased to Sh5.7 billion in the current financial year and were projected to grow to Sh8.5 billion in the 2015-2016 financial year.

"Initially, county governments had teething problems with devolution but most of them are gone and things can only get better. This shows that devolution is working and has brought benefits in the health sector," Dr Munyu said.

Kemsa has donated medical supplies worth Sh10 million to Mombasa County. Mombasa Deputy Governor Hazel Katana, who received the consignment, said the drugs would ease the burden of meeting the needs of residents.

"The medical supplies will be sent to all hospitals and health centres throughout the county," Ms Katana said.

Munyu announced plans to expand the Kemsa warehouse in Changamwe, Mombasa, into a regional medical supplies distribution hub to serve Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Tana River and Lamu counties.

"We are ready to embark on the first phase of the project that costs Sh50 million," Munyu said.