By LYDIAH NYAWIRA
NYERI: Nyeri County Government will engage manufacturers of medical supplies directly and explore the possibility of inviting other suppliers of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to compete with Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua said Kemsa will have to compete with other suppliers in providing medicines and medical equipment because it was no longer cost-effective to rely on the firm alone.
Gachagua who was visiting survivors of a road accident in Othaya who are admitted at Mathari Mission Hospital said the hospital charged less for some of the services compared to public institutions in the county.
I have been informed that people are preferring to come to this facility because they charge Sh1,100 for bed per day, while the provincial general hospital charges Sh1,700,” Gachagua said.
He said that since health services were under the county government, it was crucial to find cost effective ways to offer quality services at affordable prices.
County Executive member in charge of Health Charles Githinji said the county was growing weary of single-sourcing medical supplies from Kemsa.
“Kemsa normally places orders from manufacturers of these pharmaceuticals and as a government we would like to invite these companies to tender for the contracts to evaluate whether it would be more cost-effective than buying from Kemsa,” Dr Githinji said.
Gachagua said improving healthcare was a priority of his government.
“ We as county government are the best suited to handle the health needs of the people and can make the necessary decisions to improve their services,” Gachagua said.
He said his government will unveil eight ambulances on January 23 that will help improve the county emergency response unit.
“Each sub-county will have an ambulance complete with two drivers that will be used by the residents to take them to the hospitals in case of emergencies,” Gachagua said.
