Lodwar – May 5, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Department of Health and Sanitation has received essential medical supplies worth KSh 20 million for Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH). The supplies will serve inpatient and outpatient departments for the next three months.

This delivery follows a previous KSh 8 million consignment received on May 2, 2025. The next shipment will supply the county’s remaining 229 health facilities.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health and Sanitation, Dr. Joseph Epem, revealed that a strategic agreement had been signed with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential medical commodities, thereby strengthening the county’s health system resilience.

“While we can’t guarantee all pharmaceuticals will always be available, our priority remains maintaining consistent stocks of essential medicines in strict compliance with national guidelines and our population’s health needs,” Dr. Epem stated.

The CECM emphasized Turkana’s particular reliance on public health services, noting: “As one of Kenya’s poorest counties, our residents depend disproportionately on public health facilities. It’s crucial that all eligible individuals register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access a wider range of medicines.”

Dr. Epem announced enhanced surveillance measures at LCRH, with facility committees trained to properly receive and account for medical supplies. He issued a stern warning: “Let me be clear – we will not tolerate theft of medical commodities. We’re strengthening surveillance and enforcement. I urge the public to report any service concerns at our facilities.”

To improve healthcare access across Turkana, the county plans to deploy 145 newly recruited health workers. This strategic staffing will address shortages and enable the operationalization of 59 completed but currently non-functional health facilities.