Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichillo has warned private pharmacy operators against selling drugs stolen from public health facilities. 

Ottichilo said he would be forced to deal with those who will be found selling stolen drugs decisively and firmly. 

“I want to send a warning to our health staff and those running private chemists against selling the stolen drugs from our health facilities. I will deal with them harshly,” warned Ottichilo. 

Ottichilo said the drugs and equipment will be monitored from receipt to usage through a digital system. 

“We have developed a digital system that will help curb cases of drug theft by rogue staff. The drugs will be monitored from dispensation and records kept,” said Ottichillo. 

Deserving patients 

He urged those handling drugs in health facilities to avoid wastage and theft, but ensure patients get drugs. 

Governor Ottichilo said he is happy to report that the cases of drug theft in the health facilities have drastically reduced, something that has seen deserving patients receive good health services. 

“We have reduced the cases of wanton wastage and theft of drugs in our health facilities. This means drugs are now serving the deserving patients,” said Ottichilo. 

Ottichilo urged Vihiga residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) so that they can access medical services easily. 

He spoke at the Vihiga County headquarters when he flagged off drugs and other non-pharmaceutical items worth Sh24 million supplied by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa). 

Ottichilo said the supply will ensure the availability of drugs and non-pharmaceutical items in all 75 county health facilities to boost the provision of health services to residents. 

Governor Ottichilo was grateful to KEMSA for the collaboration and timely dispatch of drugs, saying it will help residents get a quality and uninterrupted drug supply in the health facilities. 

Affordable services 

Ottichilo said health remains his top agenda, and his administration will ensure that all residents continue to receive quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services. 

He said the medical supply of drugs and non-pharmaceutical items is the most crucial in service delivery in health facilities.