SHA warns hospitals over medicine shortages as counties oppose penalties

The Ministry of Health has warned public hospitals that fail to dispense medicine to patients after treatment, will face hefty penalty. SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi says the authority will deduct reimbursements from facilities found sending patients to buy drugs from chemists and pharmacies outside hospitals, yet they have already claimed payment for the same medicine. However, the Council of Governors has opposed the move, asking the national government to allow counties more time to clean house and address systemic challenges within their facilities. Dr. Mwangangi spoke during the rollout of biometric registration for children aged seven to seventeen years at Kenyatta National Hospital, an event presided over by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.