Health facilities in West Pokot County have received a substantial stock of medical supplies to enhance health service delivery following the flag-off of medical supplies worth Sh81.2 million, in a move expected to restore consistent availability of essential medicines and other health products in public facilities across the county.
The consignment, from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), targets 173 primary and secondary health facilities spread across West Pokot’s six sub-counties.
Governor Simon Kachapin, who presided over the flag-off ceremony at his official residence in Kapenguria, said the latest consignment was the largest order placed by the county government, surpassing the previous purchase of about Sh75 million.
He attributed the increase to the growing number of health facilities that have been opened or reactivated and which require regular supplies to effectively serve local residents.
“This is the highest consignment we have ordered because we have new facilities that are now up and running and have never received medicines since they were established,” said Kachapin.
The consignment comprises Sh50.3 million worth of pharmaceuticals and Sh21.2 million in non-pharmaceutical supplies. It also includes laboratory diagnostic products, linen, public health commodities, basic facility equipment, specialised pharmaceutical supplies, and renal consumables valued at Sh610,200.
The distribution is expected to benefit residents across the county, particularly those living in remote areas where access to healthcare has historically been constrained by long distances and limited services.
Fourteen newly opened or reactivated dispensaries are among the facilities set to receive supplies through the county distribution network. They include Wasat and Kurer dispensaries in Pokot North, Kamelei in Pokot South, Akiriamet in Pokot Central, and Shongen in Kacheliba.
For communities served by these facilities, the supplies are expected to reduce the need to travel long distances in search of basic medical services.
Kachapin said his administration would continue allocating more resources to the health sector, describing it as one of the most critical departments in society.
He said the county plans to strengthen the sector through recruitment of additional health workers, construction of new facilities, and equipping existing ones to improve service delivery.
“Health is the most critical part of our society, and we will continue putting more resources into the department by employing more workers, establishing new facilities, and equipping them to serve our people better,” he said.
The governor also announced plans to construct an amenity wing at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital to provide semi-private services. He said funds had already been allocated for the project and construction would commence soon.
He further noted that the county had received its first CT scan since independence, describing the equipment as a major milestone in strengthening diagnostic services locally.
The county is also working with the national government on the planned expansion of Kabichbich Sub-County Hospital, with President William Ruto having pledged about Sh500 million towards the project.
Kachapin said the county had also cleared all outstanding bills owed to KEMSA, leaving no pending debt to the national medical supplies agency.
“All the bills owed to KEMSA have been paid. We do not owe KEMSA anything at the moment,” he said.
While launching the consignment, the governor issued a strong warning to health facility managers and other officers responsible for handling medicines against theft, diversion, or misuse of the supplies.
He directed those entrusted with managing and distributing the commodities to ensure they reach the designated facilities and ultimately the patients who need them.
“If anyone diverts or misuses these medicines, the law will take its course. Action will be taken against those found responsible,” Kachapin warned.
The warning comes amid growing emphasis on accountability in the management of public health resources, with county officials saying technology will play a key role in tracking medicines from the point of delivery to the final beneficiary.
County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation, Claire Parklea, said technology had become a major component of reforms being implemented in the county health system.
She said every consignment received by the county is entered into a tracking system to monitor its movement to health facilities and eventually to patients.
“When the drugs arrive, they are entered into a system and tracked up to their final destination, which is the patient,” Parklea said.
She added that Kapenguria County Referral Hospital was now about 99 per cent paperless and was under full-time CCTV surveillance to enhance accountability and monitoring of activities within the facility.
Parklea said the current consignment would also ensure that recently commissioned facilities that had never received medicines are supplied and become fully operational.
The arrival of the supplies comes barely a week after the county resolved a prolonged labour dispute involving clinical officers and nurses, who had downed their tools for more than a month.
Following an agreement between the county administration and health workers, the staff have since resumed duty, paving the way for restoration of services to residents.
Mnagei Ward MCA and County Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Todosia commended the governor and the health department for what he termed efforts to improve the sector.
Todosia said the Assembly would continue providing oversight while supporting initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the county.
He promised to report to the Assembly on the progress and positive developments being witnessed in the health sector.
The distribution allocation is led by West Pokot Sub-County at Sh36.18 million, followed by Pokot Central with Sh11.72 million, Kacheliba with Sh10.41 million, Kipkomo with Sh8.91 million, Pokot North with Sh7.78 million, and Pokot South with Sh6.24 million.
With the latest investment, the county administration says it intends to maintain reliable supplies throughout the year, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, and ensure that residents can access essential services closer to their homes.
The governor was accompanied by several county officials, including Kapenguria Ward MCA Richard Mastaluk, CECMs Rebecca Kide, Joshua Ruto, Esther Chelimo, and other health and public service officials.
By Parklea Ivor
