Lodwar — March 9, 2026 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Dr. John Erus, has flagged off a consignment of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) worth KES 96 million destined for 243 government health facilities across all 11 sub-counties.

The consignment, dispatched through 11 lorries, will deliver essential medicines and medical supplies directly to health centres and dispensaries through the Last Mile Distribution system.

This follows an earlier dispatch last Thursday and Friday to all sub-county hospitals including Kaikor and Lokitaung (Turkana North), Elelea and Lokori (Turkana East), Namorputh (Lokiriama), Lopiding (Lokichoggio), Lorugum (Loima), Kakuma (Turkana West), Lokichar (Turkana South), Katilu (Aroo), and Kanamkemer (Turkana Central).

The supplies include pharmaceutical drugs, non-pharmaceutical medical supplies, laboratory reagents and consumables, as well as vaccines such as anti-rabies, anti-venoms, and immunization vaccines.

The Deputy Governor said the county leadership remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted health services while continuing consultations with medical staff over their concerns.

“We have already reached several agreements with our health workers and implemented some actions, and we will continue engaging through dialogue to resolve the remaining issues while ensuring health services continue,” he said.

Dr. Erus explained that the health commodities are requisitioned directly by health facilities based on their needs and usage, purchased by the Department of Health, and delivered to the very last mile.

“The demand is determined at the facility level based on their requirements and prevailing medical situations. The Health Headquarters then compiles the requests and forwards them to KEMSA for supply and distribution,” he stated.

Speaking on oversight and accountability, the Deputy Governor noted that the County leadership, under Governor Jeremiah Lomurkai Napotikan, places strong emphasis on proper management of medical supplies.

“Every facility committee must verify the supplies upon delivery. Compliance mechanisms are in place to monitor availability and address any supply-related concerns,” he said.

He also called on residents and the media to remain vigilant and report any concerns regarding misuse or irregularities.

“We encourage the public and the fourth estate to raise concerns whenever there is doubt about the use of these commodities. A hotline — 0746 196057 — has been provided for reporting any issues related to medical supplies in our health facilities,” he added.

The County Executive Committee Member for Health and Sanitation Services, Dr. Esekon Joseph Epem, urged residents to rely on accurate information and avoid misinformation on health matters.

“We cannot preside over the loss of our own people. We remain committed to the oath we took to serve and to provide the best possible health services to our people,” he said.

Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, said the commodities being dispatched today are specifically meant for health centres and dispensaries, with the exception of Lokitaung and Kaikor Sub-County Hospitals, which have also been included in this consignment.

“These products are meant for rural facilities as most sub-county hospitals had already received their supplies last week. Lokitaung and Kaikor have now been included in this dispatch,” he shared.

Dr. Lokoel noted that the supplies were ordered directly by individual health facilities, meaning the commodities reflect the actual requirements of each of the 243 facilities across the county.

“All our health facility in-charges have been adequately trained and mentored on the processes of receiving these supplies. Together with the Health Facility Inspection and Acceptance Committees, they will carefully verify every item delivered,” he added.

Dr. Lokoel added that strict accountability mechanisms have been put in place at facility level.

“We have instituted stringent accounting mechanisms through facility-based committees that receive the supplies, verify delivery notes, record them in stock registers, and distribute them accordingly,” he said.

Dr. Lokoel emphasized that the medicines form part of the county administration’s continued investment in improving healthcare services.

“The medicines and medical supplies we are flagging off today will ensure uninterrupted access to life-saving medicines, medical supplies, and laboratory commodities for the second half of the 2025/2026 financial year,” he said.

He further cautioned health workers against misuse of the commodities.

“These medicines and supplies have been procured at great cost to the taxpayer. We must therefore not permit pilferage, theft, irrational use, or wastage of any kind,” he added.

Chief Officer for Preventive and Promotive Health, Agnes Mana, assured residents that the county is prepared to respond to diseases that often occur during the rainy season.

“For cholera we have adequate response kits ready to handle any incidents. For malaria, chemoprevention measures are already in place. Our Community Health Promoters have also been sensitized on water treatment and other public health interventions,” she said.

Mana noted that the department had committed six months ago to maintaining uninterrupted supplies of health commodities.

DG Erus also mentioned that as planned six months earlier, this consignment is expected to last the next three months, with the next consignment scheduled for the May–June period.

The CECM also dispelled misinformation circulating about Caesarean Section (CS) deliveries.

“This concerns the health and safety of our mothers. It is worrying to see politicians advising mothers to refuse these lifesaving services. CS is not a casual decision. It is made strictly on medical grounds by qualified specialists when it is determined to be the safest way for a mother to deliver,” he said.

On the Social Health Authority (SHA), Dr. Epem assured residents that emergency services would continue regardless of challenges within the system.

“Whether the system is working or not, and whether someone has paid or not, the government has a responsibility to provide emergency and critical healthcare services. No one will be turned away because of challenges related to SHA,” he highlighted.

With the ongoing rains, the CECM noted that the supplies will strengthen the county’s preparedness to respond to potential disease outbreaks and other public health threats.