Gov’t Called Out to Address Vaccine Shortage in West Pokot County

By Benson Aswani,

West Pokot County is currently experiencing a huge challenge in the medical sector with the main challenge being shortage of vaccine.

According to reports the shortage of vaccines in the country has continued to be witnessed in various hospitals, with mothers having young children expressing the struggle of finding vaccines for their children.

Following a cross examination by Kalya Digital News, mothers from West Pokot County who visit Kapenguria County Referral Hospital seeking vaccinations are forced to go back home without receiving assistance.

The mothers, led by Sarah Soita, have expressed their concern while noting that their children might be at risk of being disabled owing to the importance of the vaccine to a Childs development.

“We have brought the children here to get vaccinated but now we are told that there are no vaccines, we are now worried that our children may be affected by diseases due to not getting vaccinations,” said Soita.

In addition Soita noted that they are experiencing anxiety in the absence of the vaccines, calling on the government to address the situation urgently before the situation gets worse.

“We are asking the government to address this issue urgently because its effects may be worse in the near future,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Doctor incharge of Kapenguria hospital, Dr. Simon Kapchanga, admitted to having been a shortage of some vaccines for a period of two months.

While speaking to Kalya Digital News, Kapchanga called on to residents to be patient with the government as it puts in place strategies to ensure that they are available as it is a national problem.

“We have had a shortage of some of these vaccines for two months now, although there are some that we continue to give to children. But we ask mothers to be patient because the government is dealing with this problem,” said Kapchanga.