Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, recently visited the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to better understand its operations and reaffirm its strategic importance in the country’s healthcare system. Dr. Oluga was welcomed by KEMSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dulacha Ejersa Waqo, and later engaged in a consultative meeting with the agency’s Board of Directors. The primary focus of the visit was to discuss ways to improve the agency’s efficiency, transparency, and the overall public trust in its activities.
In his address, Dr. Oluga underscored KEMSA’s critical role in ensuring that the country’s healthcare sector remains functional and effective. The Principal Secretary highlighted that the supply of medical commodities is essential for the health system, describing it as one of the four foundational pillars of the healthcare sector. The other pillars include human resources for health, healthcare financing, and the ongoing efforts to digitize the system. These elements are central to the government’s broader vision for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to provide affordable and quality health services to all Kenyans, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Dr. Oluga stressed the importance of restoring public trust in KEMSA, particularly after a period of scrutiny over its operations. The Principal Secretary acknowledged the challenges the agency has faced but emphasized that a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability is essential for KEMSA’s future success. He encouraged the agency to strengthen its internal governance mechanisms and improve its supply chain management systems. This, he noted, would better position KEMSA to meet the demands of the health sector and ensure that medical commodities reach the intended beneficiaries in a timely and efficient manner.
As part of his visit, Dr. Oluga also expressed his confidence in KEMSA’s capacity to overcome its past challenges and to play a pivotal role in the realization of the UHC programme. The goal, he noted, was not only to provide medicines and medical supplies to health facilities but also to ensure that these resources are effectively distributed across the country, including to underserved and remote regions.
The PS emphasized that the Ministry of Health is committed to collaborating with KEMSA to address any operational inefficiencies and ensure that the agency’s services align with the needs of the public health system. This collaboration would be critical in building a more robust and resilient healthcare system, which would be better equipped to respond to both everyday healthcare needs and potential emergencies, such as disease outbreaks.
In particular, Dr. Oluga highlighted the importance of KEMSA’s role in the management and distribution of essential drugs, vaccines, and medical equipment. These items are foundational not just for the treatment of illness but for the prevention of disease, making KEMSA’s efficiency in this area vital for public health. Ensuring that these supplies are available, accessible, and affordable for all Kenyans is a key priority for the government, as it works toward achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
Finally, the Principal Secretary reaffirmed that KEMSA’s performance is closely linked to the overall success of Kenya’s health sector transformation. For the vision of Universal Health Coverage to be realized, it is critical that all components of the health system—especially medical supplies—function seamlessly. The government’s goal is not just to provide health services but to create a health system that is equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of every Kenyan.
Through strengthened governance, enhanced transparency, and continued operational improvements, Dr. Oluga expressed his belief that KEMSA could help drive these ambitions forward, ensuring that quality healthcare becomes a reality for all citizens.
