By KPC Reporter
For many families, especially in rural areas, a visit to the hospital often brings a familiar worry – finding essential medicine out of stock.
For Nyamira, that concern may soon become a thing of the past after the county government launched a new revolving health products fund aimed at ensuring a steady supply of drugs in public health facilities.
Governor Amos Nyaribo said the newly established Nyamira County Revolving Health Products and Technologies Agency Fund will help guarantee that hospitals are restocked with medicine as soon as they make requests.
“I wish to assure the people of Nyamira County that we will no longer have shortage of drugs in our facilities,” said the governor.
The agency, based at Nyamira County Referral Hospital, will source its medical supplies from Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA), creating what county leaders hope will be a faster and more reliable system of replenishing stocks.
Governor Nyaribo spoke during a visit to the referral hospital, where he addressed medical staff before flagging off drugs worth Sh100 million to various hospitals under the new scheme.
He said the county government plans to inject an additional Sh200 million into the programme to strengthen the fund and ensure no facility runs out of medicine.
“I wish to applaud our honorable members (of the County Assembly) for expeditiously working with my Government in enacting the Nyamira County Health Products and Technologies Revolving Fund Act, 2025 that has enabled us to flag off the first batch of medical commodities today,” he said.
The governor also encouraged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the cover would allow patients to access medicine more easily while helping hospitals recover costs through claims.
“I urge our people to register with SHA so that they can get these drugs through this medical insurance cover,” he said.
Beyond medicine, the county also announced plans to improve specialized treatment services.
Governor Nyaribo said the renal unit at Nyamira County Referral Hospital will be expanded, with new dialysis units set to be introduced at Keroka and other sub-county hospitals to ease congestion.
“We are going to introduce renal units at Keroka and the other sub-county hospitals to reduce congestion of patients who need dialysis services in our referral hospital,” he noted.
He further revealed that the county plans to acquire and install an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the referral hospital, while Keroka Sub-County Hospital will receive a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan.
Other facilities earmarked for expansion include Kijauri, Manga, Ekerenyo and Magwagwa, while theatre services will be improved at Mokomoni, Nyamusi, Nyangena and Magwagwa.
Nyamaiya, Tinga, Getare and Tombe health centres are also set to be upgraded to Level Four hospitals, bringing more advanced care closer to residents.
It was also a moment of relief for county workers after the governor announced that promotions for all county employees will take effect in the 2026/2027 financial year.
He also directed that Community Health Promoters be paid their two months’ salary arrears immediately and said their stipends should henceforth be released alongside those of county civil servants.
“All county employees will get promoted from the next financial year. I also direct that Community Health Promoters be paid their two months salary arrears immediately,” he said.
Nyaribo was accompanied by senior officers of his administration and several Members of the county Assembly, who welcomed the governor’s vision in healthcare provision for residents.