Narok county ranked in health technologies management

Kenya Medical Suppliers Authority has feted Narok County as the best devolved unit in Nyanza and Western Kenya region.

Narok County’s department of health was awarded for its excellence in the management of health products and technologies.

The recognition follows an assessment of good order and credit management, consistency in making prompt payment to Kemsa and consistency in making  budget allocations for Health Products and Technology supply (HPTs) as a health priority.

Narok county executive member in charge of health Anthony Namunkuk received the award on behalf of the county government from Kemsa officials led by board member Bernard Bett.

The event was held at Windsor Golf hotel and country club in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Present were the Chief Officers Jane Kiok (Health services) and Lucy Kashu (Preventive and promotive health services) among other development partners from USAID, Amref Kenya, lwala community, Living Goods and International Centre for Reproductive Health.

Speaking to the Star on phone, Namunkuk thanked the agency for recognising their efforts in providing quality health services.

He added that the feat was achieved through the efforts of various staffs and the county top leadership.

"Our governor Patrick ole Ntutu has been instrumental in ensuring the provision of good healthcare and not only our department but also other sectors. And this have been realised since he took the office, one year ago and we expect more from this administration," Namunkuk said.

Namunkuk and his fellow colleagues from other counties later attended a quarterly meeting chaired by the vice chair of the Health Committee at the Council of Governors (COG) and the Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga.

The objective of the meeting was to discuss the implications of the proposed reforms as envisaged in the recently enacted Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Act.

The meeting also provided an update on the ongoing and upcoming projects by identifying actions for presentation during the upcoming Intergovernmental Forum as well as to share experiences and best practices in management of health care services in the counties.

The committee resolved that all the 47 counties to expedite the enactment and legislation of the UHC Act with the COG developing the corresponding regulations early in December to facilitate smooth implementation of the Act, the gazettement of all the health facilities in all counties for seamless implementation of the SHI and FIF act and conclusion of contracts for Cuban Doctors by November 31.

It also necessitated counties to prepare for their transition and ensure uninterrupted provision of services by onboarding local specialist and  fast-track establishment and operationalisation of primary care networks.

During the meeting, the counties were urged to proactively engage in community sensitisation regarding the roles of community health promoters, coupled with providing ethical standards training to ensure proficient case management within the community.

They were also called to settle the Kemsa debts to ensure continuous supply of health products and an improved order filtrate and ensure accessibility of the enacted SHI Act to ensure health services from any facility for the common mwananchi as well as to elevate the quality of services in public health facilities to effectively compete with private facilities at the local level.