KENYA – Kenya’s forensic technology capacity received a boost after the British government handed over forensic medical equipment to the health ministry valued at KES 4.5 million (US$ 39,574.36).
The equipment which were received at the Kenyatta National Hospital will support forensic investigations in instances of mass casualties, terror-related activities and disasters to name a few.
Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Rashid Aman received the donation from the British High Commissioner to Kenya, saying that it was as a result of the partnership and cordial relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK).
“I applaud the UK for providing to the health sector and the new initiatives in the areas of Kenya-United Kingdom Health Alliance, health labor migration, global health security and response to COVID-19 pandemic among others,” added Dr Aman.
Dr Aman said the role played by forensic medical services to the public health and safety in the country cannot be underestimated.
“We acknowledge the challenges faced by our officers in providing this service, and I wish to recognize their efforts and successes despite the challenges,” he added.
He appealed to all partners to continue supporting various initiatives geared towards addressing these challenges.
Lamu County plans to distribute medical supplies to over 38 health facilities
Meanwhile, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) which procures, warehouses and distributes medical commodities to public health facilities in the 47 counties has intensified its drug distributed efforts across counties.
Lamu County became the latest country to work on a distribution operation with KEMSA that will see the state agency deliver medical supplies worth KES 16.6 million (US$145,998.24) to over 38 public health facilities around the county.
Lamu County Executive for Health Anne Gathoni said the order placed by the county features pharmaceuticals, non-pharmaceuticals, laboratory and renal consumables.
“KEMSA has assured that all medical orders placed by the county will be processed and dispatched in less than a week,” she said.
Gathoni has assured residents of availability of drugs and better service delivery from the now expanded manpower following the recruitment of 11 new doctors recently.
She further revealed that through the county public service board, the health department plans to hire more nurses to expand manpower.
In more recent developments, KEMSA has confirmed the dispatch of essential medical supplies to all 47 counties countrywide as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the national scale-up of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme.
Within the national UHC Scale-up commitments, the government has committed to ensuring100% access to essential medicines for all Kenyans visiting public health centres.
According to KEMSA Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. John Kabuchi, essential medicine consignments to 37 counties have been dispatched from Nairobi while 10 counties are set to receive their supplies from the KEMSA Kisumu Regional Distribution Centre.
“The authority is working tirelessly to ensure that essential medicines are delivered on time to more than 11,500 health centres spread in all the counties their orders are received,” he emphasized.
He added that plans are underway to ensure the dispatch of vital supplies to several health facilities in Turkana, Nakuru, Kwale, Kisii, West Pokot and Marsabit among other counties early next week.
The orders already prepared and dispatched to all 47 counties include a consignment of SPF 50+ Sunscreen creams and lotions recommended for use by persons living with albinism among other dermatological conditions.
In addition, Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy drugs have been dispatched to 22 counties including Embu, Kajiado, Nyeri, Wajir, Machakos, Mandera, Kilifi and Lamu.
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