Why drugs shortage persists in public hospitals

By Peter Opiyo

A new study has raised the red flag over an acute shortage of drugs and essential medical supplies in public hospitals.

According to a study commissioned by Transparency International-Kenya, the shortage is creating a trail of misery for patients countrywide.

The Kenya Health Sector Integrity Study Report, 2011, says malarial drugs, rehydration salts, anti-retrovirals (ARVs) and antibiotics are some of the drugs that are in short supply in the institutions.

It says more than 100,000 Kenyans on ARVs are suffering because the drugs are unavailable owing to slow procurement process.

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"During stakeholder interviews, the slow procurement process by Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa) and Ministry of Health, lengthy ministerial consultations, inflated tenders and budget limitations were some of the challenges raised and recommended for reform," says the report.

Staff accused

In the study, 82 healthcare workers in public hospitals in five provinces were interviewed as well as 258 clients, in a survey conducted between December last year and last month.

"The patients accused nurses and other medical personnel of hoarding the drugs and secretly supplying them to private pharmacies, a practice they cited as a key contributor to the shortage of drugs," states the report.

The study that was conducted by Health Gap International, points out how medical suppliers had threatened to stop deliveries to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital over a Sh75 million debt. It says funds from the Treasury are not adequate to cater for the needs of the referral facility.

Lead consultant for the study, Dr Teresa Nyambegera, said the Government needs to put more resources in healthcare in line with the Abuja Declaration, which states that at least 15 per cent of the national budget should go to provision of healthcare.