MEDs Supplies Counties With Sh200m Drugs

NAIROBI

A regional faith-based organisation has supplied subsidised drugs and medical supplies worth close to Sh200 million to eleven counties for the first quarter of this year. Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) says the drugs will be used in health facilities in the counties, which include Homa Bay, Kilifi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Meru, Bomet, Makueni, Kwale, Machakos, Wajir, Taita Taveta and Embu.

Several of these Counties have entered into a memorandum of understanding with MEDS. Speaking today during the flagging off of drugs and supplies worth Sh43 million to Homa Bay County at the MEDS Centre in Nairobi, Managing Director Paschal Manyuru, said more counties are set to access low-cost quality drugs and medical supplies through the partnership launched in August 2013.

“With our wide geographical reach and devolved distribution network, MEDS has the capacity to ensure equitable and timely delivery of healthcare services to all health facilities in the counties,” he said. The deal is part of a public private partnership initiative between MEDS and the county governments aimed at addressing prevailing challenges in devolving healthcare.

This partnership will also enable the counties to clamp down on counterfeit drugs through stringent drug tests at the MEDS World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalified laboratory. This is the first faith-based WHO prequalified laboratory in the world. “We have established an elaborate quality assurance system that ensures the procurement and supply of safe, effective and good quality medicines and medical supplies to the counties,” Manyuru added. “MEDS also carries out supplier audits to ensure that they conform to Good Manufacturing Practices and international quality standards.”

Counties will also have access to quality capacity building programmes for health workers to enhance healthcare services provision. This partnership comes at a time when counties are revamping their healthcare services to address various challenges including a shortage of staff, drugs and facilities. Speaking on behalf of the Homa Bay County Governor Cyprian Awiti, the County’s Minister of Health services, Dr Lawrence Oteng’ said the drugs and medical supplies would ensure effective delivery of medical services in public health facilities.

He said that the county would monitor the distribution of the supplies to ensure they reach the desired beneficiaries. The governor warned officials against diverting the drugs, saying that government would take decisive measures against anyone found engaging in corrupt deals. This partnership with the County Governments, Manyuru said, recognises these challenges and seeks to address them holistically and will play an integral role in ensuring that quality and affordable healthcare for all becomes a reality.

Other Counties are also set to enjoy huge discounts based on MEDS procurement of huge volumes from manufacturers this quarter. MEDS supply of drugs and medical supplies to over 1,850 health facilities in the country provides over 40 per cent of Kenya’s medical supplies. MEDS also supplies medical products to over 30 facilities in the wider East and Central African region.