Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will increase its investment in innovation to increase visibility and accountability throughout its operations.
This is in an effort to boost efficiency and rebuild public confidence.
Speaking on Tuesday during a strategic meeting in Mombasa, KEMSA Board Chair Samuel Tunai, says this strategic move aims to ensure a more transparent and effective medical supply chain.
“We are committed to ensuring a more transparent and effective medical supply chain. Innovation will be at the heart of our transformation,” Tunai stated.
He highlighted several key areas to ensure a consistent supply of essential medical commodities throughout Kenya’s healthcare system.
These include improving financial sustainability by enhancing liquidity and cash flow, streamlining supply chain processes to be more responsive to customer needs, and fostering a customer-centric culture that prioritizes understanding and meeting expectations to build lasting relationships.
Additionally, KEMSA plans to integrate technology and data-driven approaches to support informed decision-making and increase operational efficiency.
Talent development and training will also be a priority, equipping employees with the skills and knowledge required to adapt to the evolving landscape. Regulatory compliance and quality assurance will remain fundamental, ensuring adherence to rigorous quality standards.
The meeting focused on assessing the organization’s strengths and weaknesses, leading to the proposal of short-term, mid-term, and long-term interventions.
These strategies Tunai says aim to revamp the supply chain, optimize procurement practices, and enhance overall operational excellence.
Tunai underscored that transparency and innovation will be at the core of KEMSA’s transformation.
He also emphasized that the authority remains committed to the success of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) program, which currently has 19.5 million Kenyans enrolled.
“As KEMSA, we have a very critical role to play in ensuring the success of this program. Our priority is to guarantee the availability of medicines across the country,” Tunai said.
On his part, KEMSA’s CEO, Dr. Waqo Ejersa noted that the Authority’s current order fill rate stands at 56%, with back-order fulfillment pushing the figure up to 65%. However, the target remains between 80% and 90%, a goal the authority is actively working towards. “We are on our way there,” the CEO emphasized, highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency in the procurement and distribution of essential medical supplies.
A key challenge facing KEMSA he said is the issue of outstanding debts by counties and other stakeholders.
The CEO confirmed that discussions with county governments and relevant authorities are ongoing to expedite the settlement of these debts.
Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/kemsa-commits-to-enhancing-medical-supply-chain-efficiency/
