Nyamira county administration has purchased drugs worth Sh30 million for local hospitals after complaints from residents who have been forced to buy medicines from private pharmacies.
Governor John Nyagarama yesterday flagged the new consignment of drugs and non-pharmaceutical supplies to 116 healthcare centres spread across Nyamira's 20 wards.
The drugs arrived in Nyamira in Kemsa trucks. According to local medics who were interviewed, all county facilities have been without drugs for over two months now.
The county administration has said the delay was occasioned by stringent procurement procedures at the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
While flagging the consignment, Mr Nyagarama issued a warning to hospital workers who smuggle drugs from county hospitals and take them to private clinics.
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Medicine thieves
He urged residents to be watchful of such thieves. "Even as we release these drugs, there are employees who cannot be trusted and are thinking of how to divert them to private clinics," Nyagarama said.
"We are clever now and if anyone tries to steal, they will be punished."
Health Executive Douglas Bosire said the county government will be beefing up security systems in hospitals.
He said the first step will be to introduce automated systems that can detect theft.
"We have moved to ensure that our health centres are well equipped with security systems that will seal all loopholes which smugglers use. We are sure the people of Nyamira will get the drugs when they need them," Mr Bosire said.
Bomwagamo MCA Charles Barongo who witnessed as the drugs were flagged said the Assembly will increase its oversight powers by legislating policies that will aide the county executive to offer better services to the people.
