State told to address Kemsa inefficacy

The Council of Governors (CoG) wants the Health ministry to address capacity challenges of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) before the national roll-out of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in January.

Following a successful roll-out of the pilot phase of the UHC programme in Nyeri, Kisumu, Isiolo and Machakos, governors claimed Kemsa, a government monopoly, is unable to satisfy the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical needs of all the 47 counties.

Enhanced services

At the same time, the CoG wants the recruitment and deployment of personnel, model and timeliness of funds flow for UHC programme before covering the remaining 43 counties.

“We propose that this should be addressed effectively as we prepare for a national roll-out of the UHC agenda. Feedback from the four pilot counties should be taken into account and proper mechanisms should be put in place to ensure value for money,” said CoG Chairman Governor Wycliffe Oparanya yesterday at a Nairobi hotel.

In his Jamhuri Day speech last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) lauded the scheme, saying it had witnessed enhanced access to essential health services.