The Senate on Wednesday commissioned an ad hoc committee to investigate the Sh38 billion Management Equipment service MOU between the national government and all the 47 counties.
Through both, the majority leader and the minority leader, the committee will seek to establish the facts surrounding the leasing of the Medical Equipment (MES), in the now 119 beneficiary hospitals around the country, and submit a report within 90days.
Siaya Senator James Orengo while moving the motion, voiced concern on the initial opposition of the project by the Council of Governors.
He also questioned the extent to which the government structures were involved in all the leasing process.
“The Council of Governors (COG) has voiced opposition to the project on the grounds that County governments were not involved in the tender procurement process, the monies are debited annually from the accounts of the Counties directly by the Treasury, there was lack of proper consultation between the Ministry of Health and County governments, and, that leasing the medical equipment was ultimately more expensive than direct purchase” Orengo submitted as indicated in the order paper.
The ad hoc committee will investigate whether county governments were involved in prioritizing the equipment in accordance to their needs, the details of the companies leasing the equipment’s, the benefit of leasing versus outright purchase, and also the availability of a well-trained human resource to operate and maintain the medical equipment.
Senators who are also to question the fate of the underutilized equipment in some counties include Dr Mbito Michael who will chair, Dr Abdullahi Ali, Mary, Kinyua John Nderitu, Ali Farhiya, Wetang’ula Moses Masika, Lokorio Petronilla Were, Masitsa Naomi Shiyong, and Outa Frederick Otieno.
Under the MES programme is an arrangement between the county and national governments the Health Ministry said its "main benefit is access to innovative medical technology and equipment to bring services closer to the people."
The ministry targeted a county hospital and one sub-county facility in each devolved unit.
The programme, whose implementation started in 2014, had sparked controversy after some devolved units rejected it, saying they had not been consulted.
Some said it was not their priority, while others said they had no personnel to operate the machines.