Consignment of vaccines arriving at JKIA after months of shortage witnessed in the country. Photo: Ouma Oluga X
A section Marsabit residents have decried shortage of medicines in public hospitals in the county, which they claimed are being sold by the hospitals to private facilities within the county.
Speaking during a joint meeting that brough together residents and health stakeholders on participation in the Health and Patient Services Bill, the residents decried shortage of medicines in hospitals as the main challenge, while they visited hospitals to acquire healthcare services.
Ochieng’, a resident questioned the team about encouraging them to enroll on Social Health Authority (SHA) that is working, yet they cannot see the benefits of making the monthly payments, as they use their own money.
“We are being told to enroll on SHA, it is working yet we have no medicines in our hospitals. After being diagnosed, the doctor directs you to a pharmacy either owned by him/her or jointly by doctors to get the medicines, how and why?” Ochieng’ a resident questioned.
Responding to the claims raised by Ochieng’, Marsabit County Referral Hospital Director Kussu Abduba, stated that the County Health Department will carryout investigations and keep vigilance on the allegations, to ensure that the medicines meant to be accessed by residents in public facilities are not sold.
He further stated that strict measures have been put in place to ensure that the approved medicines from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), do not leave public hospitals to private owned facilities.
“I want to give an assurance to the people that our medicines will not be sold in private hospitals, as long as KEMSA approves it to be disbursed in our county. We are very strict and keeping vigilance to ensure that our medicines do not leave the hospitals to private facilities,” Abduba assured the residents.
The Health and Services Bill aims to improve delivery of healthcare services in public hospitals, as well as in private facilities in the county, to ensure that they offer quality service as mandated.
However, a section of health stakeholders raised concerns that the current Bill is a repetition of the previous functioning Bill, with minimal challenges that can effect change in the sector.
In further improving the health sector in the county, Moyale MP Guyo Jaldesa announced over the weekend that the national government had approved allocation of funds to construct a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in the area.
He further added that he would petition the National Assembly Health Committee to equip the institution fully, to ensure efficient delivery of medical services.
