Medical practitioners in Garissa County have pointed accusing fingers to the county government for taking too long to address the shortage of drugs in public health facilities.
According to a nurse at Kamuthe Health center in Nanigi ward, the facility has never received drugs for the last eight months.
The nurse, who sought anonymity for fear of victimization, said it was becoming difficult for them to conduct their daily duties because they don’t have drugs to prescribe to their patients, with the most affected facilities those lying in remote parts of the county.
“We are yet to know where the whole problem lies. The delay is hurting our profession and the patients we treat,” another nurse said.
The nurse stated that whenever the drugs are supplied, they immediately get used up as they are inadequate.
“We usually diagnose the patients and prescribe drugs so they may buy from private chemists. The nearest chemist is situated in Garissa town, over 40km away. Most of these patients cannot afford to travel there,” the nurse added.
The medics say the situation was better off when the health sector was under the management of national government.