Having faced KSh7.8 billion graft complaints for the better part of 2020 when Covid-19 struck, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has embarked on a reform process.
Mary Mwadime, Chairperson, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority says the reforms will… “Will herald an authority that is structurally aligned to industry-accepted standards for a health commodities and technologies procurement and distribution organisation.”
Among the changes announced require all non-core staff members to work from home.
“The release of all staff to work from home is a procedural formality to facilitate the review of the organisational structure and will be undertaken expeditiously to ensure that the staff complement is fit for purpose and within the approved staff establishment levels,” the agency said in an emailed statement on 4th November 2021.
Mwadime disclosed that the agency had been found to be in a financial crisis with rising debt and supply chain problems according to the Action Plan and Medium-Term Reforms Working Committee (KIAPRWC).
KIAPRWC comprised a panel of local public service administration experts backed by international counterparts drawn from the World Bank and the Africa Resource Centre.
Among the key findings is that KEMSA had deadstock, Purchase of non-priority items and Poor optimization of distribution models leading to “chaos and procurement challenges due to operating inefficiencies”.
Consequently, the board settled on three reforms strategies for KEMSA governance and processes going forward.
These reforms will provide the foundation for achieving the Big Four Health Goals, including the realisation of President Uhuru Kenyatta's much cherished UHC programme. #KEMSAReforms pic.twitter.com/ldFMPNdU7L
— KEMSA (@Kemsa_Kenya) November 4, 2021
“The Board confirms necessary interventions have been put in place to avoid disruptions of service delivery. The review will be undertaken to ensure staff complement fits the purpose,” Mwadime said.
“We will have continuous staff engagement and consultation within the next 30 days where all staff will be engaged and appraised throughout the notice period,” she said.
KEMSA handles drugs supply chain needs of more than 8000 health facilities countrywide through a last-mile delivery service.
