Kisumu County Assembly Members want funds allocated for various dispensaries.
North West Kisumu MCA Samuel Ombogo raised a concern that most dispensaries in Kisumu County have stopped operating following a directive that no fee should be charged on pharmaceuticals.
He said that Level Two and Three hospitals have been charging a fee of Sh 20 on items like books and syringes among others to enable them operate effectively when it comes to issues of finance.
He said: “The small charges at the dispensaries are used to pay their subordinate staff and security officers. He said some of the money is even used by the in-charge to purchase syringes, soaps and sometimes writing materials and reporting tools.”
The ward representative said if the directive is not lifted, then thousands of residents of this county will continue to suffer because to date, no single cent has been disbursed to the dispensaries as it was expected.
Ombogo requested the house to give a directive on the matter. The MCAs supported the motion and said the concern should be looked into before things get out of hands.
Central Seme Ward representative John Kadede said the issues of drugs are not new because in his ward, he was asked to buy to packet of Panadol to the dispensaries.
Kadede said dispensaries within the county have no drugs and something should be done to help the life of the people.