This archive report was first published on 6 July 2021.
Published on July 6, 2021, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has moved to ease fears of a possible shortage of medical examination gloves in the country, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Although there has been a global shortage of latex material used in the manufacture of gloves, KEMSA has put in place measures to ensure the country is not hit by a shortage of the crucial medical gloves.
As a counter measure, KEMSA has instead been acquiring powdered medical examination gloves. In May this year, the contracted supplier delivered 80,000 packs of 50 pairs to the KEMSA supply Chain Centre in Embakasi.
Counties have pulled over 70,000 packs in the last two months, and KEMSA is currently holding stock of up to 10,000 packs of 50 pairs as inventory in the warehouse, according to KEMSA.
To sustain the supply and alleviate the shortage, KEMSA said another consignment of 160,000 packs of 50 pairs of powdered medical examination gloves is expected in the country by July 8 and at the Supply Chain Centre by July 15, 2021.
The authority has since committed to continue replenishing its stocks of gloves and other health products and technologies on need basis.
Health workers have on several occasions downed their tools over lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but KEMSA procures in bulk, enjoying economies of scale which is transferred to health facilities, the authority said.
“Our mandate is to ensure that counties have uninterrupted supplies of health products and technologies,” KEMSA affirmed.
“On the issue of medical examination gloves, we have received the supplies and distribution is ongoing,” the authority added.
KEMSA operates a not-for-profit self-sustaining commercial business model whereby the County health facilities order and pay for their medical commodities on a demand-driven supply system.
Counties follow a 45-day repayment plan after the drugs have been supplied on credit, and KEMSA has urged the National Treasury, Ministry of Health, Council of Governors, Senate, to exert pressure on counties to prioritize debt settlement to KEMSA.
