SMS pill check findings released to Kenyan media
The Kenyan team held a successful press conference on 30/06/09 with 22 journalists in attendance from various print, electronic and online media houses in the country. Patrick Mubangizi (HAI Africa), Emma Wanyonyi (CIN), David Musyoki (KEHPCA), and James Kamau (KETAM) spoke at the press conference while Eve Odette (OXFAM) moderated the event.
The stock-out story was aired on KTN TV, K24 TV, Kiss FM, Classic FM, Capital FM, KBC Radio, Ramogi Radio, Bibilia Husema, Nairobi Star newspaper, and Africa Science News Services (online) among others. The links to some of the articles that appeared are below.
http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Local/Kenya-health-facilities-lack-drugs,-say-activists-4942.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzFvtUWy2DM&feature=channel_page
http://www.rhsupplies.org/about_us.html
During the SMS pill check week, data collectors were able to gather information from over 150 primary health facilities from around the country and with technical assistance from OSI fellow Michael Ballard, the information was uploaded on the stock-out site.
General findings indicated that stock outs of the EM is widespread and covers a wide range of the 10 essential drugs surveyed. The results will be used as an advocacy tool as the Kenyan team seeks to engage the government.
The team is still working towards engaging the government through the relevant Ministries and government agencies involved in medicine procurement and supply. In particular the team has requested a meeting with the two Health Ministries following which we intend to seek out the medicine supply agency (KEMSA).
The team has also written to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Ministry of Finance in relation to taxation of Morphine which still contributes greatly to the unavailability and high cost of this drug. Morphine is commonly used by cancer and HIV/AIDS patients as a pain reliever.
Eve Odette, James Kamau, Patrick Mubangizi, Emma Wanyonyi, David Musyoki
Journalists at the Stop Stock-outs Conference
Thank you so much for the good work. Pain management in palliative care is the most important care so much desired by those with life threatening conditions. The Kenyan government,Ministry of Health has the obligation to ensure easy availability of Morphine and other opiates in all government facilities and Hospices in Kenya.Kamau (Home and Community Based Care Coordinator- Nyahururu).