NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 13- The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has listed Kilifi county as the biggest buyer of its Health Products and Technologies having serviced its orders to a tune of over Sh400 Million this Financial Year ending June.
The KEMSA Ag. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edward Njoroge said 2020-21 financial year, the Authority has supplied the county with two huge orders of Sh197 million between July and August 2020 and Sh204 Million in January 2021 respectively.
“Kilifi is one of the highly organised counties that is able to plan ahead to ensure they purchase the Health Products and Technologies on time,” the CEO said.
He disclosed that with the good paying track record set by Kilifi, the Authority is always ready to ensure that it facilitates the county to realise its health care obligations to its population.
Kilifi has a total of over 136 public health facilities spread out in the county with Magarini being the largest sub county and Rabai the smallest.
“For Kilifi, we are a one stop shop for all its Health Products and Technologies and we want to continue giving the county and all other counties our best” he said.
Njoroge said the Authority has positioned itself to be able to quickly respond to clients request by adequately stocking the required essential medicines at its various regional distribution centres.
“The counties needs are dynamic and therefore we have no option but to make sure that our procurement processes adapts to better serve the counties requirements,” he said.
The KEMSA boss was particularly impressed by the counties that make good their payments to KEMSA after receiving their supplies from the Authority.
For instance, he noted that Kilifi has already cleared payment of the first order totaling to Sh197 Million placed in the first quarter of the financial year “and we are waiting for them to pay the invoiced amount of Sh204 million.”
He noted that the biggest challenge facing KEMSA is counties not paying their supplies on time hence interfering with cash flow.
“It’s worthy to note that KEMSA operates a self-sustaining not for profit business model. This means that we use our revolving funds to replenish our stocks,” he explained.
He added, “When we don’t receive payments on time, the Authority is not able to meet its obligations to suppliers who offer various goods and services for a well-functioning medical supply chain.”
Njoroge disclosed that he will soon be announcing the roll out of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to boost the capacity in commodities management in various counties.
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