VIHIGA COUNTY RECEIVES MEDICAL SUPPLIES WORTH KES. 34 MILLION FROM KEMSA TO BOOST SERVICE DELIVERY IN 75 FACILITIES

The County Government of Vihiga has received a consignment of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical medical supplies worth KES. 34 million from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), marking a significant step in strengthening healthcare delivery across the county in line with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

The consignment, which included pharmaceutical supplies worth KES. 30 million and non-pharmaceutical supplies worth KES. 4 million will be distributed across the 75 health facilities in the county to support sustained service delivery across the county.

Speaking during the medical supplies flag off, Vihiga County Governor Dr. Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo emphasised that the county has spent several years laying a strong foundation for efficient health systems and now has the structures required to ensure smooth and effective service delivery. He urged residents to enrol with SHA to access medical care and requested health facility managers to use the newly received medical supplies efficiently to achieve maximum impact.

The Governor expressed his gratitude to KEMSA for their long-term partnership, noting that the county has maintained an active engagement through their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) since he assumed office. He further explained that, under the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) Act, funds paid through SHA will be channelled back to facilities, enabling them to finance their operations more sustainably, an important priority outlined in the CIDP’s focus on improved health financing and facility autonomy. He also encouraged county staff to prioritise Vihiga’s public health facilities when seeking care.

Governor Ottichilo noted that Vihiga continues to meet and exceed recommended global standards for health accessibility, with no resident walking more than three kilometres to reach a health facility, which is well within the WHO-recommended five-kilometre radius. The county also received a donation of a gene machine from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The consignment supports the county’s efforts to increase the availability of essential medicines, strengthen facility readiness, and improve service delivery equity across all sub-counties.