Health crisis looms in hospitals after Senate direct Kemsa not to supply drugs to counties over Sh3billion debt
Poor Kenyans especially those suffering from terminal illnesses who cannot afford health services in private hospitals could face the unfortunate fate over looming medical drugs shortage including essential medicaments after the Senate Health Committee directed the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) not to supply drugs to counties over Sh3billion unpaid debt.
The committee asked Kemsa not to supply drugs to any county that will not have come up with a clear plan of clearing the debts owed in the next month after the authority’s acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrew Mulwa said that some counties had up to six months’ arrears.
Mulwa who was responding to a question by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said that out of the total Sh3.03billion owed by counties Sh2.087billion has been outstanding for more than three months which may cripple its operations.
“We have engaged the Council of Governors (CoG) so as to ensure that the counties are able to clear the debt, Kemsa is currently facing challenges that will impede its ability to fulfil its mandate, that is why we want counties to pay us.” Mulwa said.
Narok Senator Ledama ole Kina asked Kemsa to change its strategy saying any county with more than 30 days debt should have its supply stopped since it was not its responsibility to accumulate huge debts that may cripple it.
Murang’a Senator Joseph Nyutu wondered how the authority manages to get more supplies with the huge debt owed to it by several agencies and asked it to be strict on debtors.
Mulwa noted that Kilifi county had the highest debt owed to Kemsa at Sh276million, Nairobi (Sh243million), Kakamega (Sh187million), Tharaka Nithi (Sh150million), Machakos (Sh117 million), Kwale (Sh116million), Homa Bay (Sh104million) and Vihiga (Sh94million).
Ironically, Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki whose county is the fourth highest debtor is the Council of Governors Health Committee chairman.
This comes in the wake of the just ended doctors’ strike after 56 days of work boycott by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) who strike a return to work formula with the Ministry of Health over the implementation of the contentious 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in which CoG was cited by the KMPDU as a stumbling block towards the full implementation of the deal.
While appearing before the Senate Health Coomiitee, Mulwa informed the committee members that in response to the challenges Kemsa is been facing, they developed a comprehensive turnaround strategy that presents a clear roadmap for revitalising the supply chain processes, adopting a customer-centric approach and embracing technology.
“The authority is conducting a thorough review of all expenses to identify areas for cost reduction without compromising quality or efficiency, management has implemented cost-saving initiatives such as streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation and reviewing existing supplier contracts to ensure value for money.” Mulwa said.
