STATE RESOURCES

Kiambu doctors warned against diverting drugs to private clinics

Wamatangi said health officers with private facilities should quit public service and venture into business

In Summary

• He said it has been revealed that some county health officers own private chemists, laboratories and health facilities where government medicines are diverted to.

• The governor said his administration will safeguard medicine sent to health centres and ensure they get to the intended targets.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi inspects medicines, which will be restocked in all Kiambu health facilities during the 59th Jamuhuri day celebrations in Kiambu on Monday, December 13.
DRUGS: Governor Kimani Wamatangi inspects medicines, which will be restocked in all Kiambu health facilities during the 59th Jamuhuri day celebrations in Kiambu on Monday, December 13.
Image: STANLEY NJENGA

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has warned doctors against taking medicines outside public health facilities.

He said it has been revealed that some county health officers own private chemists, laboratories and health facilities where government medicines are diverted to.

Wamatangi spoke during the 59th Jamuhuri day celebrations held in Kirigiti international stadium in Kiambu town on Monday.

"If you are a government health officers and you own a private hospital, laboratory or a chemist, it's high time you quit public service and venture into your business," he said.

The governor flagged off medicine worth Sh60 million to be distributed to health facilities across the county.

He said his administration will safeguard medicine sent to health centres and ensure they get to the intended targets.

Wamatangi said he will also ensure health facilities are built in all wards.

He said the facilities will include a maternity unit and minor theatre to save Kiambu residents from the agony of going far to access health services.

The governor also announced that he has set aside Sh100 million to pay NHIF for needy families through the universal health care programme.

Kahawa Sukari MCA Kennedy Odhiambo raised concern of how government medicines are finding their way to private health facilities.

He urged the governor to put up stringent measures to safeguard the medicine.

"Our people are suffering when they access a health facility and find there is no medicine, yet we know the medicine is stolen and taken to private hospitals," Odhiambo said.

Juja MCA Jeremiah Kiama said in earlier regimes medical supplies would be flagged off but never reached the dispensaries.

"This time we will not joke with the lives of our people. Kiambu people have suffered for lack of medicines in our dispensaries and now we will be on the look out to ensure medicines reach our health centres," he said.

Kiama further said the government has done well in paying for the residents NHIF since many have been hit financially and would not have afforded it.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi during the %9th Jamuhuri day celebrations in
Warning Governor Kimani Wamatangi during the %9th Jamuhuri day celebrations in
Image: STANLEY NJENGA
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