Wanga warns Homa Bay medics against drug theft

@robertomollo3

Homa Bay government has put on notice health workers who perpetrate drug pilferage as most public health facilities experience shortages.

The health workers were warned that they will be sacked should the health facilities continue losing drugs to private pharmacies.

Governor Gladys Wanga said cartels who promote theft of drugs from hospitals will have their employment contract terminated.

“We have established a system, which will be used for tracking the drugs. People who steal drugs must prepare to lose their jobs and be charged,” Wanga said.

She spoke on Tuesday when she flagged off an assortment of pharmaceuticals and non pharmaceuticals worth Sh20 million.

The drugs were distributed to the various Level 2 and 3 health facilities and dispensaries within the county.

Wanga told health workers to embark on serious work of providing services to the people.

The governor also urged members of the public to report whether drugs are available in hospitals.

Homa Bay government has placed a hotline number at the subcounty health facilities and Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital, which members of the public will call and report problems related to services.

Residents will also be calling the number to report should they be told to go and buy drugs in private pharmacies.

The hotline number is pinned at different hospitals across the county.

A medical officer from Rachuonyo South was recently fired after members of the public complained and linked him to theft of drugs.

“The government is spending a lot of money in buying drugs and we can’t continue losing them in the hands of a few individuals. You either shape up or ship out,” Wanga said.

The governor however said there are still some gaps as far as availability of drugs is concerned but promised that her administration is determined to address the challenges.

After the August 9 election, the county government discovered health facilities were experiencing shortage of drugs due to pilferage.

The county government had not purchased drugs for one year due to debts owed by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority. 

“Many residents have complained that they buy drugs and non-pharmaceutical items such as syringes and gloves from private chemists. They also complain of high cost of medication in the public health facilities,” Wanga said.

Wanga was in company of her deputy Oyugi Magwanga and Health executive Roselyn Omollo.

Magwanga asked residents to be vigilant on theft of drugs from the public facilities around them.

“Residents should know that the drugs in the health facilities belong to them and they need to report people stealing them,” Magwanga said.

The drugs were purchased from Mission on Essential Drugs.

They are drugs that were not supplied by Kemsa when the governor flagged off another consignment in September.