MACHARIA DURING USAID KEMSA MEDICAL COMMODITIES PROGRAM LAUNCH

Thank you for joining us for this very important occasion to witness the launch of the US Government funded KEMSA Medical Commodities Program (MCP). Ladies and Gentlemen I am informed that USAID KEMSA Medical Commodities Program being launched today is a three-year funded program that took effect on 1st October 2015. MCP’s goal is to strengthen existing government systems and align with its strategy. It is gratifying that the efforts being realized today are geared towards the overall achievement of the Government’s realization of Vision 2030 objectives. I feel honoured to witness such great achievements at KEMSA having been identified as one the Vision 2030 flagship projects under the social pillar of change.

The Government is committed to making the devolved healthcare system a success and my Ministry is engaged in several inter-governmental forums with the county governments in order to improve healthcare services in the country. The aim of the Government is to increase access to health services at all levels and improve health outcomes at both National and County levels. My Ministry has put systems in place to ensure equal and affordable healthcare service delivery for all as enshrined in the constitution. My Ministry will continue to develop and strengthen the Health Care system in order to meet the needs of our population and contribute to the sustainable development of our nation.

I note with great appreciation that KEMSA is living up to its new mandate of entering into partnership with the Counties and establishing partnerships with county Governments for purposes of providing medical supplies in the spirit of consultation and collaboration. I wish to commend all the County Governments for identifying KEMSA as their first point of call in the procurement of essential medicines and other medical supplies. On its part, the Kenya Government is fully committed to supporting devolved health services, by increasing health spending on medical commodities and other health services. KEMSA plays a very critical role in the delivery of these services.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I wish to appreciate the role played by all the Development Partners in the Health Sector for their contributions in various areas of the health sector. In particular, I wish to thank USAID in a special way and all those development partners who have been working very closely with KEMSA and the Ministry of Health at large. In this regard, I thank USAID for awarding this contract to KEMSA. I equally acknowledge the good working relationship between KEMSA and UNICEF, DANIDA, Global Fund, Pepfar, KFW and the World Bank under the oversight of my Ministry in the key areas of supply chain infrastructure, ICT and Governance which have led to the strengthening of KEMSA structures and systems. As a Government, I wish to assure all the development partners that all governance systems and structures at KEMSA will continue to be strengthened for better health service delivery.

I am gratified to learn that KEMSA has been recognized for the third time this year both nationally and internationally for its quality management systems. In October 2015, KEMSA received an international award for quality management systems in the area of medical commodities supply chain management. Recently in October 2015, KEMSA received another International award by the European Business Assembly (EBA) for the Best Enterprise of the year while the CEO Dr. Munyu scooped the Best Manager Award in an event held in Cannes, France. This is testimony of KEMSA’s heavy investment in governance, systems and structures for efficiency and effectiveness in health service delivery.

The Government indeed appreciates all the support from all partners; and I wish to re-assure you that my Ministry and the Kenya Government will always be ready to work with all Development Partners in support of health care delivery.

Ladies and Gentlemen:
With those remarks, I wish to thank you all for coming over to be witnesses of this auspicious event and congratulate KEMSA for winning the trust and confidence of the US Government to manage the KEMSA Medical Commodities Program.

Thank you.

Mr. James Macharia – Cabinet Secretary for Health

9th November, 2015