West Pokot County has received a major health sector boost after Governor Simon Kachapin oversaw the delivery of medical supplies worth Sh36 million from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), set to benefit 162 health facilities across the county.

The consignment, delivered at Kapenguria County Referral Hospital, will also be distributed to Sub-County hospitals in Kacheliba, Sigor, and Chepareria. The supplies are part of fourth-quarter provisions and arrive just as the new financial year begins.

“Our goal is to ensure that every resident, regardless of their location, can access timely and reliable healthcare,” Governor Kachapin said during the official handover ceremony. “This is a critical step towards achieving health equity across West Pokot.”

In a bid to address staffing shortages, the Governor announced that 240 new medical personnel will join the county’s health workforce next week. “Improving human resource capacity is our next priority. We must match infrastructure growth with adequate, qualified staff,” he added.

Kachapin called for professionalism and accountability in the management of the medical supplies. “There must be transparency in handling these resources. We owe it to our people to ensure every drug reaches the intended patient,” he stressed.

The Governor also outlined ongoing healthcare infrastructure upgrades, including the construction of a modern radiology unit and improved security lighting around the Kapenguria facility.

Since devolution, West Pokot has witnessed significant health milestones, including the establishment of emergency units, an ICU, and the recruitment and training of specialized personnel.

“As we enter the final stretch of my term, I am fully committed to delivering on our promises,” Kachapin said, noting that over 30% of the county’s budget is allocated to the health department.