MOMBASA, Kenya Sep 14 – The Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Dr. Andrew Mulwa says the authority has changed, for the better, due to reforms initiated to improve efficient service delivery to the public.
Dr. Mulwa, who spoke to Editors from various media houses during a retreat in Mombasa, said he is determined to change KEMSA from a scandal-ridden authority to an open and transparent organisation.
“We don’t want to be an organization that is always known for scandals and that is why we are undertaking these reforms to ensure everything is done right and within the law,” he said.
Dr Mulwa said procurement processes at the KEMSA will always be open to ensure fairness.
“We are digitizing the whole process because this will enable us to track the whole process to know when a tender was advertised, when it was opened, awarded and how the whole process was done,” he said.
He said part of the reforms the authority is undertaking is aligning purchases to the needs by customers, mainly counties.
“Every county has unique demand, and that is why we are working closely with the counties to ensure their supply requirements are harmonized with their specific needs,” Dr. Mulwa stated.
He highlighted the challenge posed when some counties allocate insufficient budgets for health or medical supplies, creating shortages even at the sub-county level.
“It becomes a challenge when some counties end up allocating a small budget allocation on health or medical supplies that can’t be sufficient for even a sub-county,” he said.
Dr. Mulwa expressed confidence in KEMSA’s capabilities, emphasizing that the organization, as a not-for-profit entity, remains the preferred choice for counties due to its commitment to delivering medical supplies at the lowest profit margins.
Dr. Mulwa unveiled KEMSA’s plans to digitize its services, commencing on October 1, to facilitate efficient stock monitoring and timely requisitioning.
“Through AI technology, KEMSA aims to analyze disease trends and determine the necessary drug allocations for different regions, ensuring a proactive response to potential crises,” he said.
Addressing the issue of outstanding pending bills, amounting to Sh2.9 billion, primarily owed by counties, Dr. Mulwa expressed concern about a few counties with substantial debts.
“I am worried about three counties that owe us a lot. And those are the ones I am worried about,” he said, but expressed confidence that others are working to repay their debts.
“We also have about 7 counties which are working to pay us so I can’t say it is a bad debt because they have initiated the payment process,” he said.
In response to the high cost of cancer treatment in Kenya, Dr. Mulwa underscored the government’s commitment to reducing costs by encouraging hospitals to collectively order drugs in bulk from manufacturers, making treatment more affordable for patients.
the government is committed to bring the cost down, and this can only be done when hospiptals come together to order drugs in bulk from manufacturers as opposed to ordering individually.
“That way the cost of drugs can be cheaper than in India where most people take their patients,” he said.
Dr. Mulwa acknowledged KEMSA’s workforce optimization, with staff numbers reduced to approximately 550, ensuring a lean and efficient team capable of delivering services effectively.
KEMSA has had a bloated workforce, but now we have been able to rationalise that and we now have about 550 or thereabout.
“We are working with Human Resources to optimize the numbers to ensure that we have enough staff that can perform well,” he said.
Highlighting KEMSA’s commitment to transparency and reforms, Dr. Mulwa emphasized the need for open decision-making and operations.
He invited the media to witness and report on KEMSA’s procurement processes to build trust and accountability.
“We are determined to work closely with the media to ensure our story is known and we have nothing to hide because we work for the public,” he said.
He said that there is no bureaucracy restricting communication with the media, allowing all team members working under him to provide insights and information as needed.
“I am looking for more engagement with members of the media and I have allowed my team to be open and always speak to you because we have no bureaucracy where it is only the CEO or Chairman who speaks to the media,” he said.
