Delayed payment to stall medical supplies

Delayed payments by counties could cut off essential medical supplies and affect provision of health services.

Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS) says payment delays to the faith-based organisation is affecting its ability to effectively source and supply discounted drugs.

Speaking during a county officials meeting attended by chief officers and directors of health in Nairobi, MEDS Managing Director Paschal Manyuru said accrued debts from the counties are negatively affecting the medical supplier’s operations and making it hard for the organisation honour suppliers promptly.

“We operate on a limited revolving fund where most of the payment received for supplies to our clients is channelled to our suppliers,” he said. “Delayed settlement of money owed by counties is making it difficult for us to pay our suppliers in good time to avoid stock out situations.”

Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies is a registered trust of the Kenya Episcopal Conference and Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) with a mission to provide reliable, quality and affordable essential drugs, medical supplies, training and other pharmaceutical services.

Working closely with healthcare suppliers and project partners, as well as the World Health Organisation and the World Bank, the trust offers systemic approaches to select, quantify, and manage medicines and medical supplies needed in order to ensure a reliable supplies of medical stocks.

MEDS entered into partnership with the counties in August 2013 to supply discounted drugs and medical equipment and so far 37 counties have purchased quality and affordable medicines and pharmaceuticals from the organisation.

private sector

“Of course there are some counties that have been prompt in paying us. They are a true manifestation of Public-Private Partnership and affirmation that devolution can be realised if we bring all stakeholders on board. It should not be a preserve of the Covernment; the private sector has a key role to play too,” explained Manyuru.

The county officials had paid a courtesy call to MEDS to learn from each other and to appreciate the organisation’s effort in making devolution of healthcare services a reality.

The county officials urged MEDS to continue supporting them and promised to settle the owed bills to avoid disruptions in provision of healthcare services. They further assured MEDS of increased collaboration and partnership.

A number of the 47 counties are currently facing budgetary problems, which they blame on the national Government. Lack of funds for the health sector has seen a number of the counties experience cash flow problems, especially paying wages for nurses.