This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
On October 28, 2019, the Nairobi County Government made significant strides in addressing the long-standing drug shortage in public health facilities across the city.
Under the supervision of Health Executive Committee member Vesca Kangongo, the county's health department has been working tirelessly to distribute essential drugs to facilities that had gone without them for months.
"I am glad we have done 80 percent of the distribution and some facilities such as Mama Lucy, Mutuini, Mbagathi, Pumwani and Kayole are fully stocked with drugs," Kangogo said.
As part of the initiative, the county's health department has implemented automated systems in major health facilities to monitor the flow of drugs from hospital pharmacies to patients, thereby curbing diversion.
"We have very good governance framework in our facilities, and no pilferage has been experienced so far since we have automated systems for monitoring drugs and that also help us to re-order drugs before they run out of stock," she said.
Health officials and hospital administrators who divert drugs for personal use or sale have been warned that they will face disciplinary measures, including the full force of the law.
The drugs are supplied and distributed through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), which has committed to a steady supply to the county.
"We have put into consideration all the requests made by our health facilities and the distribution process will go on until they are all served," a statement from KEMSA stated.
