Patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Homa Bay County, Kenya, are calling on the county government to prioritize their medication in the budget to ensure reliable access to essential medicines. Currently, most NCD patients in the county rely on only four public health facilities supported by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These facilities are Nyalkinyi and Marindi health centers, Kendu Bay Hospital, and Ndhiwa Hospital.
The four public health facilities provide free NCD screening and medication to patients, thanks to support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Shikuri Foundation. However, the remaining nine sub-counties lack NCD drugs, and patients are forced to bear the cost of medication. This has raised concerns among NCD survivors, who worry that the NGOs' services may end at any time, leaving them without access to essential medicines.
Kenneth Ouma, Chairman of the Homa County NCD Advocacy Chapter, expressed concerns that the management of NCDs is too expensive for many families to manage. He urged the county executive and assembly to prepare budgets that specify the money allocated for NCD treatment. Ouma argued that the general budget for health does not help NCD patients, and a specific allocation for NCDs is necessary.
Tom Mboya, Secretary General of the NCDs Patients' CBO in Homa Bay County, said that the failure to equip public health facilities with NCD drugs puts their lives at risk. He urged the county government to start NCD treatment in all 12 sub-counties to guarantee residents good health. Mboya emphasized that this can only be achieved if the money is allocated in the county budgets.
Patients like Trizer Ochieng expressed worry that the cost of medication puts NCD patients at risk of losing their lives. Ochieng appealed for medication support, highlighting the need for reliable access to essential medicines. The patients' concerns are compounded by the fact that the NGOs' services may terminate at any time, leaving them without access to life-saving medication.
The Homa County NCD Advocacy Chapter, in partnership with the NCD Alliance and the Homa Bay County Department of Health, convened a meeting to discuss the issue. The meeting highlighted the need for the county government to prioritize NCD medication in public health facilities. The patients are calling on the county government to take action to ensure reliable access to essential medicines.
The patients' advocacy efforts aim to improve the productivity of Homa Bay residents by ensuring that NCD patients receive reliable access to essential medicines. Better medication for NCD patients will have a positive impact on the community, and the patients are hopeful that the county government will take their concerns seriously.
Key points
- Homa Bay County NCD patients urge the county government to prioritize medication in public health facilities.
- Currently, most NCD patients rely on only four public health facilities supported by NGOs.
- Patients are at risk of losing their lives due to lack of access to essential medicines.
