Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi has directed all public hospitals within the county to make business plans in order to help in the attainment of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Muriithi said there was a need to change the image of public hospitals by operating them like corporate entities, with clearly defined goals and outlining how the same would be achieved.
Speaking in Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital Monday when he flagged off a consignment of drugs worth Sh28 million for distribution to local health facilities, the governor urged medics working in public hospital to seek to change the common narrative that they were inferior to private ones.
“The same doctors and specialists who treat people in private hospitals are mostly sourced from public facilities, therefore the skills and expertise they employ are the same,” Muriithi said.
He urged medics in public hospitals to transform the image of the health facilities by exceeding the expectations of customers.
Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) representative Beatrice King’ori said that Laikipia County was among the devolved units that did not owe the supplier any money for procured drugs.
“Laikipia County does not owe KEMSA even a single cent. Last year they purchased drugs worth Sh90 million and paid the amount in full,” King’ori said.
She added that KEMSA would continue to work closely with counties in the provision of medical supplies to see the attainment of UHC.
County Chief Officer of Health Dr. Donald Mogoi said that the devolved unit would also procure an extra consignment of drugs worth Sh13 million for distribution to rural health facilities.
The distribution of the drugs comes amid fears of nationwide shortage of drugs, following a new government directive accompanied by rules that have made importation of pharmaceutical products difficult.