Supermarkets-Kenya - The Kenya Medical Supplies Agency plans to open supermarkets all over the country to sell drugs at subsidised prices. The agency will establish a Sh2.5 billion commercial wing that will operate the supermarkets. The World Bank has already provided Sh600 million to set up a supermarket in Nairobi by September this year. Kemsa CEO Dr John Munyu says the agency will however maintain its role of procuring drugs for the government and the commercial wing is aimed at raising revenue and make it financially stable. Munyu said plans to set up the commercial wing are in high gear and the changes were part of the restructuring programmes being undertaken by the new Kemsa board.

Hospitals and other institutions dealing with medical supplies will be the main customers at the Kemsa supermarkets, which will offer the lowest prices in the market.

Kemsa plans to establish mini-supermarkets in Eldoret, Kisumu and Mombasa after the launch of the main supermarket in Nairobi. 'Kemsa is now in a reform mood. It will be a totally different organisation that will operate effectively, unlike it has been the case in the past,' Munyu said.

He was speaking in Eldoret during a tour to the agency's stores. During the tour, Munyu was accompanied by the board vice chairman Cyprian Awiti, operations director Joshua Habel and several board members.

The board is on a countrywide tour to assess Kemsa's capacity. Munyu said the agency will consider opening stores in each of the 47 counties to supply drugs to health facilities.

Awiti said the new board is unique because it is comprised of experts and professionals who will spearhead the reforms. He said since the new board took over a year ago, Kemsa has made supply of drug more effective.

The board is in the process of computerising all its operations to enhance its performance. Awiti said the government had increased funding for Kemsa to enable it to operate effectively.

'That is why the supply of medical kits to all public health facilities has been effective since we took over and we have been able to deal with issues like drug shortages which were common in the past,' said Awiti.

Kemsa now operates on a 24-hour basis and the automation of all its systems is under way.

Mathews Ndanyi

Nairobi Star/07/04/2011