Joho promises to clear Mombasa County's Sh39 million KEMSA debt

KEMSA Chair Ms Mary Chao Mwadime and Mombasa County Governor Hassan Ali Joho when KEMSA Board of Directors paid a courtesy call to Governor Joho in his office in Mombasa (James Wanzala, Standard)

Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho has promised fast-track clearance of the Sh39 million debt owed to Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

In a meeting with newly-appointed board chair Mary Chao Mwadime, Governor Joho instructed his officers to cut the red tape, review pending issues and expeditiously clear monies owed to the drug agency by end of this financial year.

“I have heard what the chair has said and I am directing that my officers sit down and quickly look into this matter with an aim to resolve it,” said Joho.

He said he was keen to improve healthcare service delivery at public hospitals so that they are at par with private facilities.

Accompanying the chair were Capt (Rtd) Lawrence Wahome, Lincoln Nyaga, Mary Awino Atieno and Dr Josephat Mbuva.

The board chair said the monies paid would enable the authority to meet its financial obligations.

Ms Mwadime explained that Kemsa was ready to engage further by actively listening to the county views and implementing suggestions to improve service delivery.

“I appreciate the opportunity to meet and interact with the governor. We want our collaboration with the county to continue,’’ said Mwadime.

Dr Khadija Shikely, the chief officer for medical services, urged Kemsa to improve its order fill rate.