Kericho, Bomet hit by drugs shortage
Biomedical engineer Alex Rono (left), explains to Bomet County Executive in charge of Medical Services Dr Joseph Sitonik and Governor Dr Hillary Barchok how oxygen is produced at a processing plant at Longisa County Referral Hospital on April 2, 2021. The facility produces 9,000 litres of oxygen per hour for use by patients with breathing complications.
Kericho and Bomet counties are facing drug shortages in their health facilities, leaving patients suffering.
Private chemists operating near health centres are reaping big from the shortages, with doctors prescribing drugs and asking patients to purchase them at the outlets.
“It is a shame that despite the health sector being devolved, Bomet County is unable to prioritise the purchase of drugs from the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa),” said Mr Hassan Langat, a resident of Chepalungu constituency.
In Bomet County, Longisa County Referral Hospital and Tegat, Koiwo, Sigor, Ndanai, Cheptalal and Kapkoros sub-county hospitals are the most affected along with 134 other health centres.
Kericho County Referral Hospital and Sigowet, Kipkelion, Ainamoi, Londiani and Kapkatet sub-county hospitals and other health centres have been hit hardest.
Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony and his Bomet counterpart Hillary Barchok separately admitted the problem, citing supply challenges at Kemsa that they said were being addressed.
A shortage of medics has also hit the health facilities, which are understaffed though millions of shillings have been spent to build and equip them in the past nine years of devolution.