Taita Taveta county government is grappling with health challenges including lack of medical drugs due to a Sh82 million debt

The Governor Andrew Mwadime  administration owe the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency Sh82 million for medicines and other pharmaceutical products.

The Governor urged his recently sworn in County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Gifton Mkaya to put in strategies and seek donor funding to boost the sector.

“We have a lot of challenges in the health sector including lack of drugs in our public hospitals. Be entreprenuers seek funding to help the citizens,” he said.

Mr Mkaya said he will cooperate and enhance partnerships to address emerging challenges hindering effective and efficient delivery of healthcare services.

He is taking over the docket at a time when its grappling with acute shortage of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical commodities due to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) pending bill of approximately to Sh82 Million.

"I have already initiated an engagement with the KEMSA in a bid to agree on outstanding pending bill payment strategy to pave way for supply of essential medicines and medical supplies to our public health facilities" said CECM Mkaya.

Mr Mkaya said that he will shift the gears towards upgrading the existing public health facilities, specifically the Sub-County Hospitals and Moi-Voi County Referral Hospital.

"We are going to strengthen the capacity and capability of our hospitals by ensuring improved infrastructure and facilities in order to cushion our people from seeking these services in other counties" said the executive member.

He further added that new health services will be introduced in the hospitals as a way of maximizing the department's revenue streams.