Nakuru County Government has moved in to address the acute of shortage of drugs by purchasing medicine worth Ksh 172M.
Already the first batch of the drugs have been distributed to the major hospitals and dispensaries with the next tranche expected next month.
This came as it emerged that the county was battling with shortage of tuberculosis drugs forcing patients to travel to other counties to seek medication.
This emerged when the county officials led by deputy governor Eric Korir inaugurated two dispensaries in Ngondi and Kipkonyo areas on the southern part of Lake Naivasha.
The two health facilities will serve close to 50,000 residents who for long have been making the treacherous journey to Naivasha miles away for medication and other services.
Addressing the gathering, the county CEC for health Dr, Kariuki Gichuki said all the hospitals in the area had been equipped with the necessary drugs to be able to serve residents without delay.
Guchuki said the county had over 200 facilities that were serving residents in far flung areas adding that they were committed to ensure residents got health services in their villages.
“We had a delay in the release of funds but we have procured and purchased the drugs from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency with part of it already in the hospitals”.
Gichuki said the county was making steps to ensure that affordable health care was a reality to all adding that at least 36 percent of the county’s budget was dedicated to provision of quality health care.
“Our focus majorly is on promotive and preventive health care and all hospitals including health centers had a medical personnel who will serve residents before we get additional nurses”.
On his part Korir said they were making strides to equip the new health facilities with the necessary equipments for ease of access to residents.
He said the opening of the two dispensaries will help residents get services closer to them adding that the county had set aside Ksh 4M for equipping a new maternity wing in the area.
“With this kind of a facility you will not go to Naivasha town or any other facility to get the services since we have the necessary equipments and drugs for treatment”, he told the gathering.
He at the same time said the Ksh 300M upgrade of Naivasha sub county hospital was on course noting that the facility will be turned into a one of a kind referral hospital in the region.
On his part Maella ward MCA Gathariki Kamanu said the government had released Ksh 400M for the upgrade of the Kongoni-Kasarani road to bitumen standards.
“The rod will link up with the Moi North lake road that is already tarmacked and will help in elevating the lake side town to a key tourism destination in the region”.