Kiambu governor Kimani Wamatangi (pictured) has put Thika Level Five Hospital officials on notice following reports of theft of drugs and poor services.

He stormed the hospital during the weekend following complaints from members of the public that they are forced to buy drugs outside the facility.

The governor suspected drug theft after he asked to see the available drugs at the county medical store but was instead met by hesitant officials who kept him waiting only to tell him the key was missing.

“We dispatched drugs to the facility weeks ago. However, patients are complaining that they are forced to buy the drugs from outside with prescriptions. Once I enquired to check where we store drugs, the keys mysteriously disappeared meaning there are no drugs at the facility. This is what I aim to stop,” he said.

Monitor movements

Two weeks ago the governor had announced that he had put measures in place to ensure there are enough drugs in all health facilities in the county.

The governor further noted with much concern that the record keeping was opaque as one could not tell how the drugs came in and out of the facility adding that it was hard to understand or audit the same.

He promised to have CCTV cameras installed, to monitor the movements of the drugs and seal all loopholes. He said another consignment of 20 trucks would be delivered in two weeks’ time to ease the shortage, while emphasising to the medics that no patient should not have to purchase drugs from private chemists.

Arrested, prosecuted

“Those who have been stealing drugs from our hospitals, their days are numbered. We shall conduct an audit, install CCTV cameras and digitise operations in the drugs department and if found, you will not only be dismissed but also arrested and prosecuted,” Wamatangi said.

The governor at the same time noted that Thika Level 5 Hospital is overwhelmed by the many patients who seek medical services at the facility, saying it needed huge funding to offer better services.

Most of the patients, he said, come from the neighbouring Machakos, Kitui, Murang’a, Nairobi and Kirinyaga counties. He said it needed to be more equipped and more health professionals, a budget that the county government cannot afford at the moment.