The government has been challenged to train and hire more pharmacists to improve access to health care.
Kenya has a population of about 47 million and an estimated 13,000 pharmacists. This means every pharmacist is supposed to serve over 3,600 people.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a ratio of one pharmaceutical technologist to 1000 people.
“In Kenya, you find that the ratio is 1 to 4000, that is very inadequate,” MKU Chairman Professor Simon Gicharu told the media.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a health delegates conference by Kenya
Pharmaceutical Association in Mombasa on Thursday. More than 1,000 members of the association were in attendance.According to prof Gicharu, accelerated access to quality and affordable
medicine is the key to a healthy nation and this could be achieved through an increase in healthcare providers.
He also called on institutions of higher learning offering medical courses
to invest heavily in training so as to churn out a qualified lot capable of
treating the masses.Mt. Kenya University has produced about 10 percent (1,300) of the 13,000 pharmacists in the country.
The employment of more pharmacists he said will reduce rogue pharmaceutical technologists who are risking the lives of patients.Mt. Kenya University has produced about 10 percent (1,300) of the 13,000 pharmacists in the country.
The employment of more pharmacists he said will reduce rogue pharmaceutical technologists who are risking the lives of patients.
