MOMBASA, Kenya, 26 October 2026 – The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has handed over a refurbished medicine store at Port Reitz Sub-County Hospital in Mombasa County, marking a significant milestone in strengthening Good Storage Practices (GSP), safeguarding the quality of essential medicines and improving health commodity management at the facility level.
The handover ceremony, presided over by Mombasa Governor H.E. Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, underscores the growing partnership between KEMSA and the County Government of Mombasa in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that essential Health Products and Technologies (HPT) are stored under appropriate conditions before reaching patients.
The upgraded facility will support improved storage and inventory management of essential medical supplies, benefiting a catchment population of more than 300,000 people served by Port Reitz Sub-County Hospital and surrounding communities in Changamwe and Jomvu constituencies.
Implemented under KEMSA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the 2025/2026 financial year, the project addresses critical infrastructure deficiencies that previously constrained the hospital’s capacity to maintain appropriate storage conditions for medicines and other medical commodities.
Speaking during the handover, KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Waqo Ejersa emphasised that maintaining the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines requires sustained attention throughout the healthcare supply chain, including after products have been delivered to health facilities.
“Protecting the quality of medicines does not end with procurement or delivery. Appropriate storage conditions are equally important in preserving product integrity before medicines reach patients. By improving storage infrastructure at Port Reitz Sub-County Hospital, KEMSA is strengthening commodity management, minimising the risk of avoidable product deterioration and losses, and ultimately supporting safer and more effective patient care,” said Dr. Ejersa.
The CEO explained that the intervention followed a comprehensive needs assessment undertaken in April 2025 by KEMSA in collaboration with Mombasa County and hospital management. The assessment identified inadequate storage capacity, deteriorating infrastructure and other deficiencies that affected the facility’s ability to manage medical commodities effectively.
Subsequent consultations involving hospital management, the Mombasa County Pharmacist and KEMSA informed the scope of refurbishment works, ensuring that the investment addressed priority infrastructure needs and supported improved storage practices.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Improvements
The refurbishment involved extensive structural and functional improvements designed to create a safer, more secure and better-organised environment for managing health commodities.
Key works included the installation of a ceiling and air-conditioning system to support temperature control, floor improvements, additional windows fitted with security grills, and installation of appropriate doors to enhance security and ventilation.
Other improvements included repairs to storage racks, reinforcement of cracked walls, construction of a washroom and office spaces, installation of gutters to facilitate rainwater harvesting, and construction of perimeter pavement to minimise pest intrusion and reduce the risk of water damage.
Together, these improvements provide a stronger foundation for the safe receipt, storage, organisation and issuance of medical commodities, while supporting better stock control, inventory visibility and efficient utilisation of available storage space.
Dr. Ejersa noted that appropriate storage infrastructure is essential for compliance with Good Storage and Distribution Practices, as outlined in guidance issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Medicines are sensitive products whose quality can be compromised by inappropriate temperatures, moisture, pest infestation or inadequate security. Investments in appropriate storage infrastructure are therefore not merely improvements to buildings; they are investments in medicine quality, patient safety and the efficient utilisation of healthcare resources,” he said.
He further emphasised that infrastructure improvements must be complemented by effective facility-level procedures, temperature monitoring, accurate inventory records, routine equipment maintenance and adherence to product-specific storage requirements.
Strengthening Partnerships with County Governments
The CEO commended the County Government of Mombasa for its growing partnership with KEMSA, particularly its commitment to strengthening the management and financing of essential medical supplies.
He noted that the County’s expanding business engagement with KEMSA, commitment to ring-fencing resources for Health Products and Technologies, consistent ordering and timely settlement of payments provide a strong foundation for sustainable access to essential medicines.
“Reliable access to essential medicines depends on strong partnerships, predictable financing and effective supply-chain management. We appreciate the County Government of Mombasa for its commitment to strengthening these critical areas. Timely settlement of obligations supports KEMSA’s revolving fund model, enabling the Authority to continuously procure and distribute essential medical supplies to health facilities across the country,” said Dr. Ejersa.
