45 governors sign medical kits deal as MoH defends plan

Some 45 out of the 47 governors have signed the agreement for the supply of medical equipment under the new leasing programme.

The development comes even as the Ministry of Health moved to defend the National Equipment Support Programme.

NESP is a programme that seeks to supply and lease medical equipment to county public health facilities.

The new programme mirrors the medical equipment service framework that was rocked with controversy.

Health CS Deborah Barasa said already 36 counties have placed orders for the equipment they require to adequately provide services in their facilities.

“We have the NESP project where we have multiple counties sign the agreement. Some 45 out of the 47 governors have signed the agreement,” the CS said.

It was not immediately clear which governors are yet to sign the agreement and the reasons for the delay.

Under the MES programme, governors complained that they were coerced and intimidated to sign the agreements.

They had argued they were not consulted on the needs of the facilities, leading to many items remaining idle due to a lack of installation rooms, power and technical personnel.

“We signed it under duress because the pressure was too much. When I signed it, I didn’t even want to read it because the equipment was already there, they were delivered on a Saturday at night,” former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya had said.

Appearing before the Senate plenary on Wednesday, CS Barasa put a case for the new programme, saying it was part of the Universal Health Coverage pillar.

“Within our countries, we are building structures and infrastructure but we don’t have the services in terms of equipment and commodities needed. That is why we have NESP,” the CS said.

Last year, the Council of Governors said they signed the new deal out of desperation.