In a great move to make healthcare service delivery more efficient, the County Government of Bomet has launched a Web-based innovative system that will streamline the management of drugs. The system, programmed to monitor the supply of drugs from Longisa County Referral Hospital to various health facilities in the county, reduces the likelihood of patients missing important medications.
Introduction of the Online System
Health County Chief Officer for Health Dr. Felix Langat said the online system enhances accountability and availability of drugs within the health facilities while at the same time being so easy to track. Dr. Felix Langat was speaking during a press briefing at Longisa County Referral Hospital, having received medicine worth Sh32 million from KEMSA.
Enhancing Accountability and Coordination
“This system will help us trace the availability of medicines at different facilities, enhance coordination, and assure residents that when in need, they can be accessed where they are needed” Dr. Langat said. This follows perennial complaints from residents over inadequate supplies of medicines and allegations that drugs are diverted to private hospitals.
The new system assures accurate monitoring of drug distribution, de-linking unfounded myths over drug availability within the level of public facilities. The system also eases the utilization of medicines expiry dates, making sure that medicines are used in the most productive way across all the sub-counties.
Preventing Drug Wastage
According to Dr. Langat, it is important to use the drugs that are reaching their expiry in a timely way to prevent losses. He said, “We will be able to identify medicines nearing expiry and redistribute them accordingly to avoid wastage.” This proactive mechanism ensures medications are used before the expiry to save on resources.
Improved Delivery of Medical Supplies
Dr. Joseph Sitonik, the CEC in charge of health in Bomet County, praised the improved delivery rates of medical supplies under the new management of the national government. He noted that the increased rate of supply delivery concerned a higher percentage; the current delivery rate of supplies ordered is 83% compared to the previous years.
Last-Mile Delivery Approach
“The adaptation of the last-mile delivery strategy in the process of delivering supplies will see the delivery being done directly to healthcare facilities, foregoing the need to have distribution altogether at the county hospital,” explained Dr. Sitonik. Definitely, the direct delivery will ensure prompt confirmation of supply in all hospitals, consequently increasing efficiency in the delivery of healthcare services.
Encouraging Utilization of Primary Healthcare Facilities
Dr. Sitonik emphasized that the timely supply was key, noting that difficult months come after the reading of the budget as revenue allocation takes a couple of months before it gets to the counties. He called on the public to visit the primary healthcare facilities around them as he confirmed that the county is expecting vaccines for children. He asked the parents to avail their children for vaccination on time.