Turkana county receives Sh22 million drugs

Turkana county government has received Sh22 million medical supplies to alleviate drug shortage.

The consignment was received by County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Joseph Epem at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital.

The medical supplies procured through the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa), include essential and specialised drugs meant to last up to four months. This is in addition to a separate delivery worth Sh8.2 million that arrived last week.

“These drugs will help fill the gap caused by recent shortages and relieve the pressure health workers have been facing. We are working tirelessly to ensure that our people can access quality healthcare without disruption,” said Dr Epem.

The supplies include a broad spectrum of essential medicines ranging from antibiotics, analgesics, and anti-malarials.

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Others are vaccines, rapid diagnostic kits, renal unit supplies, laboratory reagents, family planning commodities, and non-pharmaceuticals.

Addressing the Press at the hospital grounds, Dr Epem warned health workers against drug theft and misuse within health facilities, saying legal action would be taken against culprits.

“The era of stockpiling drugs in backrooms or siphoning them for illegal sale is over. We are putting accountability measures in place and will not hesitate to prosecute any culprits,” he said.

As part of efforts to strengthen the healthcare system, the CEC announced that 64 medical cold chain freezers had been assessed, with 27 found to be faulty. Out of these, 17 have already been repaired, and the remaining 10 are scheduled for maintenance and restoration by Friday. These units are vital for the safe storage of vaccines and temperature-sensitive medications.