KEMSA distributes trucks of ARVS and HIV related commodities to the counties
Reckitt Benkiser Group PLC (RB)- Regional Manager E.A, Sachin Varma (left), with, RB Country Manager- Kenya, Ibrahim Kabir (right), Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) CEO, Dr. Jonah Manjari and UNAIDS Country Director Kenya, Dr. Medhin Tsehaiu, as they flag off trucks loaded with hygiene packs to assist people living with HIV in Kenya. Reckitt Benkiser has allocated over Kshs. 20.4 million worth of Dettol soap and Jik bleach for the support of people living with HIV in the fight against COVID-19.
KEMSA is continuing to distribute HIV related commodities including ARVs to health facilities across the 47 counties.
The products which are normally distributed in the normal monthly cycle were picked at the Embakasi Supply Chain Centre from Thursday last week and distribution was done to different Counties namely; Embu, Kajiado, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Siaya, Nairobi, Nyeri and Wajir.
This week the commodities have been distributed to Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru, Narok, Busia, Kilifi, Meru, Trans Nzoia, Mombasa and Nyandarua Counties and picking is still ongoing and the remaining Counties will be dispatched from tomorrow through to the weekend.
Kisumu, Vihiga, Bungoma, Homabay, will be dispatched from the Kisumu regional distribution Centre.
KEMSA Ag. Chief Executive Officer Mr. Edward Njoroge said the Authority has adequate stocks of HIV/AIDS related commodities and will continue to replenish and distribute to the mapped sites as need arises.
“Some Counties have already received the consignment from KEMSA and I believe this will relieve some pressure from patients,” he expressed.
Mr. Njoroge explained that the orders for the program commodities are received through the LMIS after which they are rationalized by order management team. The ARV’s are then distributed on monthly basis depending on needs and re-order level from each facility.
Currently, the number of patients receiving ARVs is 1.4 million. This represents a significant increase compared to the 363,421 patients on treatment on the national programme when the project began in 2009.
KEMSA continues to operate a safe, secure, reliable and sustainable supply chain management system for improved delivery of healthcare services.
Commodities distributed include Zidovudine syrup, Nevirapine syrup, Abacavir, Atazanavir/Ritonavir, Co-trimoxazole, Duranavir, Dolutegravir, Efavirenz, fluconazole, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Tenofovir /Emtricitabine (Tdf/Ftc), Tenofovir /Lamivudine/Dolutegravir, Raltegravir, Zidovudine, Zidovudine/Lamivudine, Tenofovir/Lamivudine among others.
Mr. Njoroge assured that KEMSA will deliver the commodities as they arrive in the warehouse and will be delivered to the last mile as per the mandate of the Organization.
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