Ministry of Health faults Treasury for nationwide vaccine shortage

The Ministry of Health is now blaming the Treasury for the vaccine crisis in the country.

Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai has asserted that the nationwide vaccine shortage is as a result of Ksh.3.6 billion debt owed to suppliers.

Ten counties are hardest hit, with parents forced to travel long distances to neighboring counties to seek services. Among the most affected counties are Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyamira, Kilifi, Siaya, and Migori.

In an attempt to end the crisis, the Treasury on Tuesday released Ksh.1 billion to the Ministry of Health, which has an additional Ksh.1 billion for the vaccine programme.  

A deficit of Ksh.1.6 billion still needs to be injected into the revolving fund facility, managed by UNICEF and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, to resume the supply of much-needed vaccines to Kenya.

"We have a revolving facility; if we exhaust this then they will block supply. We need Ksh.750 million to clear our deficit. There is a shortage of vaccine currently, we need to pay this amount in order to get more vaccines," Kimtai said on Tuesday when he appeared before the National Assembly Health Committee.

Kimtai, additionally, reiterated that the situation will worsen unless the whole amount is settled by the first week of June so that the vaccines can begin arriving in the country.

"We have a challenge with payment of vaccines. There was an outstanding bill of Ksh.3.6 billion plus Ksh.750 million. We will need to pay UNICEF and Global Alliance of Vaccine Immunization Ksh.2 billion and still have an outstanding bill of Ksh.1.6 billion. This is something we have to pay," said Kimtai.

According to the 2023/2024 budgetary estimates tabled in Parliament by the State Department for Medical Services, the allocation for the vaccines program was further reduced by Ksh.750 million.

"We need an additional Ksh.750 million for vaccines. We had requested Ksh. 1.2 billion but we needed an additional Ksh.750 million; There was a budget deduction of Ksh.750 million," said the Medical Services PS.