CORPORATE INTELLIGENCE AFRICA ISSUE 0024 | Page 58

KEMSA to brace for stiffer competition with the
the country.

entrance of MEDS, a faith based medical supply chain
BUSINESS
However Mr.Manyuru decried the acute shortage of health workers despite efforts towards improving healthcare. According to medical chain supply chairman Mr. Michael Sande the gestures highlight the organization’s capacity to further contribute to healthcare and ensure the government’s goals are achieved. ‘ These milestones not only show the continuous improvement of MEDS medical product and services but also enable it to achieve international reorganization as a world class faith-based medical supply chain and capacity building organization,’’ said Sande.

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By Jared Opiyo he state owned leading medical supplier, Kenya Medical Supply Agency has to brace itself for stiffer competition as faith based medical supply chain makes an aggressive entrance into the league. Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), a body founded by Christian churches in Kenya has shown its readiness to bring to an end monopoly that has been enjoyed by KEMSA over the years. In a strategic move to make quick and solid penetration into the market, MEDS this month announced that it has partnered with the County governments to increase access to reliable, quality and affordable healthcare services to Kenyans. The Ministry of health has lauded the development citing that the role of faith-based health sector in improving healthcare services cannot be ignored, especially in rural and difficult to reach areas. Speaking at the launch of the partnership attended by county representatives including governors and ministry of health officials,

health Principal Secretary Prof. Fred Segor observed that the Counties will enjoy huge discounts on drugs from manufacturers based on MEDS procurement in huge volumes and high quality. ‘With its wide geographical reach and devolved distribution network, MEDS has the capacity to ensure equitable and timely delivery of healthcare services to all health facilities in the counties,’’ he added. MEDS Managing Director Paschal Manyuru while speaking at the same event hosted at their head office along Mombasa Road said devolved governance presents a great opportunity to build an effective healthcare system. ‘This is not driven by commercial interest but rather by the faith-based spirit of service in recognizing that we can help improve healthcare services to our brothers and sisters in the counties , who for one reason or another are still disadvantaged and struggling with the challenges of third world development,’’said Mr. Manyuru. Mr. Manyuru affirmed that MEDS’ efficient supply chain management, stringent quality assurance systems and wide geographical reach would ensure that this partnership impacts the lives of many citizens in the remote parts of

MEDS MD Paschal Manyuru (center) and Dr. Francis Kimani (right) from the ministry of health receive MEDS certificates after the launch of its partnership with County governments.

Mr. Manyuru noted that engaging County governments was critical to the success of the initiative which becomes the first to be launched between the devolved government and the medical supply chains. The entrance of the new medical supply chain has been highly welcomed by the medical players who have projected benefits that will come with the competition. Analysts have maintained that KEMSA should be ready to share the market with the new entrant and at the same time would be forced to adjust its services for it to remain afloat in the now competitive field. Established in 2001 as the government pharmaceutical and commodity procurement and distribution, KEMSA has made progress such as instituting direct monthly deliveries to facilities. However the agency continues to struggle with its responsibilities resulting in a decline in confidence among the public. According to MEDS Inventory Control Manager Mr. Levine Akaka, the procurement process is expected to flow smoothly under the developed government unlike the central government when they experience unnecessary backlogs.

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