Rising demand for 'Baba Care' prompts Mombasa to order more medicines for public hospitals

Rising demand for 'Baba Care' prompts Mombasa to order more medicines for public hospitals - KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Ejersa together with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir during the handover of a refurbished medicine store at Port Reitz Sub-County Hospital. (Photo: Courtesy)

Abdulswamad said the county was working with KEMSA to ensure medical supplies reach hospitals on time, and that increased demand required additional orders.

Mombasa County has placed an additional order for medicines to meet rising demand at its public health facilities, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has said, as the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) hands over a refurbished medicine store at Port Reitz Sub-County Hospital.

Abdulswamad said the county was working with KEMSA to ensure medical supplies reach hospitals on time, and that increased demand required additional orders.

“I am told that we have an extra order because of the demand that there is, but I am sure your management will be able to do what needs to be done,” he said.

The governor said the county had also agreed with KEMSA to establish a facility to store surplus medicines as part of efforts to improve the handling and availability of medical supplies.

The refurbishment at Port Reitz comes as the hospital serves more than 300,000 people from Changamwe, Jomvu and surrounding areas.

KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Ejersa said proper storage was necessary to protect medicines from damage before they reached patients.

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“Protecting the quality of medicines does not end with procurement or delivery. Appropriate storage conditions are equally important in preserving product integrity before medicines reach patients,” he said.

Dr Ejersa said an assessment conducted in April 2025 by KEMSA, the county government and hospital management found inadequate storage space, deteriorating infrastructure and other shortcomings affecting the management of medical supplies.

The refurbishment included installation of a ceiling and air-conditioning system to help control temperatures, repairs to storage racks and cracked walls, improved doors and windows, and construction of office space and a washroom.

KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Waqo Ejersa together with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir during the handover of a refurbished medicine store at Port Reitz Sub-County Hospital. (Photo: Courtesy)

The works also included gutters for rainwater harvesting and pavement around the store to reduce the risk of pest intrusion and water damage.

Dr Ejersa said the improvements would help the hospital maintain appropriate storage conditions and reduce losses caused by poor handling of medicines.

He, however, said the upgraded building would need to be supported by proper temperature monitoring, accurate stock records, equipment maintenance and adherence to storage requirements.

The KEMSA chief executive commended Mombasa County for its engagement with the authority, saying predictable financing, regular orders and timely payments were important in maintaining the supply of medicines to health facilities.

Abdulswamad said the county was also working to increase staffing at Port Reitz to reduce delays in treating patients.

“I have seen that more doctors are needed, and by tomorrow we will make arrangements to ensure a faster turnaround,” he said.

The governor said the county was expanding its network of health facilities to reduce pressure on Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, with plans for a new Level Four hospital and other facilities in areas including Jomvu, Mjambere, Kisauni and Likoni Bofu.

He said the aim was to ensure residents could receive treatment closer to home, with referrals to Coast General reserved for cases requiring specialised care.

KEMSA said the Port Reitz project was implemented under its corporate social responsibility programme for the 2025/2026 financial year. The authority has also supported medicine-store improvements at Mtwapa Sub-County Hospital in Kilifi County and Msambweni County Referral Hospital in Kwale County.

The refurbished store has undergone completion checks and was declared ready for handover, according to KEMSA.