One of the eight(8) components of primary health care is the provision of essential medicines. WHO has defined essential medicines as “those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population”.These medicines are carefully selected with regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost–effectiveness.
Fundamentally, Essentialmedicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times, in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality, and at a price the individual and the community can afford(WHO,2013). Therefore, making sure facilities have the right medicines and medical con
sumables at the right time and that patients can access affordable products when needed is imperative to delivering high-quality Primary Health Care and achieving SDGs. The availability of essential medicines not only promotes trust but also enhances community participation in health services, thereby leading to improve health outcome(s).
To achieve the aforementioned, the Permanent Secretary,RSPHCMB approved the purchase and distribution of essential medicines to 50 PHCs as seed stock as this will boost quality service delivery to our teeming clients. This activity was carried out between the month of May and June 2022.
Below are pictures of Medical Officers of Health and Heads of facilities collecting consignment of essential medicines for their facilities. Also attached is the list of 50 facilities that received stocks of essential medicines for recapitalization.