This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
KRA Destroys Sh3 Million Diabetes Drugs for Kenyan Children Over Tax Dispute ¶
Published on January 8, 2020
A consignment of donated diabetes drugs worth Sh3 million, meant for 250 diabetic children at Kenyatta National Hospital, has been destroyed due to a tax dispute between the hospital and the Kenya Revenue Authority.
The insulin, 4,500 vials, was donated by the International Diabetes Federation to help treat children with diabetes who cannot afford the cost of insulin, which retails at Sh550 per vial.
However, the Kenya Revenue Authority confiscated the drugs in February this year, citing tax issues, and allowed their destruction. The hospital had paid Sh60,000 for the drugs, but they were removed from refrigeration and deemed unfit for use.
Health workers at the national referral hospital and parents to the diabetic children have expressed dismay at the tussle between KRA and the hospital, which has resulted in the drugs being rendered useless.
KNH Chief Executive Lily Koros said that the hospital had been in talks with KRA to resolve the issue, but the matter remains unresolved.
According to KRA's Chief Manager, Marketing and Communication, Maureen Njongo, the consignment came in through the passenger terminal but the importer did not present the permit as required by the Ministry of Health.
"We cannot release the consignment until we get the permit," she said.
Kenya is classified as one of the top five countries with the highest costs of diabetes care in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the destruction of the donated insulin has been met with concern from health experts.
