Kenya: More Babies At Risk As Vaccines Shortage Bites

[Guest guest]

Kenya: More Babies At Risk As Vaccines Shortage Bites

The East African (Nairobi)

Kenya: More Babies At Risk As Vaccines Shortage Bites

Christabel Ligami

19 June 2011

Nairobi — The biting shortage of vaccines for childhood killer diseases that has

hit public hospitals across the country is a pointer to the challenges facing

Kenya's health sector.

From perennial procurement flaws to a shortage of hospital staff to faltering

research projects, the health sector is facing a crisis.These challenges paint a

grim picture of service delivery in public hospitals and raise questions over

the government's commitment towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals,

that include reduction of child and maternal mortality as well as eradication of

malaria and other diseases by 2015.

The shortage of vaccines for example, means more children are likely to die

before the age of five years due to a lack of immunisation.

Hospitals in Nyanza and parts of Coast Province are the hardest hit.

But the Director of Public Health and Sanitation Shahnaz Shariff, says the

shortage is artificial and was caused by logistical problems at the district

level.

" There were delays in the delivery of vaccines to these hospitals due to

distribution challenges, but the matter is being addressed, " said Dr Sharif.

However, reports from Sanofi Aventis, one of the main suppliers of drugs in the

country indicate that there is a shortage of the MMR vaccine -- a " 3-in-1 "

formula that protects children against measles, mumps and rubella. It is

administered at the age of 12 to 15 months.

According to the Kenya Medical Suppliers Agency, the procurement process for

government hospitals is conducted at specific times hence the supply of the

vaccines to the institutions will have to take a while.

The 2011 State of the World's Children report by the United Nations Children's

Emergency Fund shows that over the years, immunisation against major killer

diseases in Kenyan children below the age of one year has risen.

The report also reveals that immunisation coverage stands at 90 per cent for the

BCG and DPT vaccines against tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough and

tetanus.

However, only 64 per cent of infants return to receive the third and final DPT

dose. It also shows that 64 per cent of infants received the three doses of

Hepatitis B vaccine and the influenza vaccine.

Now, rising inflation has added to the problems in the sector because the cost

of healthcare has escalated eating deeper into employers' and household budgets.

Market data indicates that medical insurers, who bear the direct costs of

medication, doctors' fees and hospitalisation, have raised their charges by up

to 20 per cent annually since 2007.

Nduati, the chief executive of Resolution Health East Africa, said most

private hospitals have increased medical charges, forcing insurers to raise

their premiums.

" Although the number of people taking medical cover has been growing over the

years, the cost of medical care in major private hospitals is hampering the

growth of the industry, " said Mr Nduati.

Data from the 2011 Economic Survey released last month shows the country is

increasingly facing renewed threats from killer diseases such as pneumonia,

tuberculosis, cancer, HIV/Aids and malaria.

On the other hand, the Service Provision Assessment 2010 report released

recently shows there is a decrease in the number of medical officers, dentists,

nurses, midwives and other specialists in public hospitals as they seek greener

pastures due to low pay. This has added to the inefficiencies in healthcare

services provision in the country.

Some have been shifting base to other countries. Consequently, Kenya is

grappling with a shortage of health workers, estimated at about 70,000

countrywide.

[Guest guest]

Kenya: More Babies At Risk As Vaccines Shortage Bites

The East African (Nairobi)

Kenya: More Babies At Risk As Vaccines Shortage Bites

Christabel Ligami

19 June 2011

Nairobi — The biting shortage of vaccines for childhood killer diseases that has

hit public hospitals across the country is a pointer to the challenges facing

Kenya's health sector.

From perennial procurement flaws to a shortage of hospital staff to faltering

research projects, the health sector is facing a crisis.These challenges paint a

grim picture of service delivery in public hospitals and raise questions over

the government's commitment towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals,

that include reduction of child and maternal mortality as well as eradication of

malaria and other diseases by 2015.

The shortage of vaccines for example, means more children are likely to die

before the age of five years due to a lack of immunisation.

Hospitals in Nyanza and parts of Coast Province are the hardest hit.

But the Director of Public Health and Sanitation Shahnaz Shariff, says the

shortage is artificial and was caused by logistical problems at the district

level.

" There were delays in the delivery of vaccines to these hospitals due to

distribution challenges, but the matter is being addressed, " said Dr Sharif.

However, reports from Sanofi Aventis, one of the main suppliers of drugs in the

country indicate that there is a shortage of the MMR vaccine -- a " 3-in-1 "

formula that protects children against measles, mumps and rubella. It is

administered at the age of 12 to 15 months.

According to the Kenya Medical Suppliers Agency, the procurement process for

government hospitals is conducted at specific times hence the supply of the

vaccines to the institutions will have to take a while.

The 2011 State of the World's Children report by the United Nations Children's

Emergency Fund shows that over the years, immunisation against major killer

diseases in Kenyan children below the age of one year has risen.

The report also reveals that immunisation coverage stands at 90 per cent for the

BCG and DPT vaccines against tuberculosis, diphtheria, whooping cough and

tetanus.

However, only 64 per cent of infants return to receive the third and final DPT

dose. It also shows that 64 per cent of infants received the three doses of

Hepatitis B vaccine and the influenza vaccine.

Now, rising inflation has added to the problems in the sector because the cost

of healthcare has escalated eating deeper into employers' and household budgets.

Market data indicates that medical insurers, who bear the direct costs of

medication, doctors' fees and hospitalisation, have raised their charges by up

to 20 per cent annually since 2007.

Nduati, the chief executive of Resolution Health East Africa, said most

private hospitals have increased medical charges, forcing insurers to raise

their premiums.

" Although the number of people taking medical cover has been growing over the

years, the cost of medical care in major private hospitals is hampering the

growth of the industry, " said Mr Nduati.

Data from the 2011 Economic Survey released last month shows the country is

increasingly facing renewed threats from killer diseases such as pneumonia,

tuberculosis, cancer, HIV/Aids and malaria.

On the other hand, the Service Provision Assessment 2010 report released

recently shows there is a decrease in the number of medical officers, dentists,

nurses, midwives and other specialists in public hospitals as they seek greener

pastures due to low pay. This has added to the inefficiencies in healthcare

services provision in the country.

Some have been shifting base to other countries. Consequently, Kenya is

grappling with a shortage of health workers, estimated at about 70,000

countrywide.