Kogi Govt to rid state of fake drugs

Towards riding the state of fake and substandard drug products, Kogi State Government says measures is on to constitute a State Task Force to check the trend.

Kogi State Governor, Capt Idris Wada, stated this at the opening ceremony of the 17th Annual National Scientific Conference of the Nigeria Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists held in Lokoja.

Capt Wada appealed to pharmacists to see patients as central in their endeavors, urged that their interest be made paramount and importance in all that they do.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, noted that his administration has been able to create a healthy working environment for the state workforce, added that his administration has made available reasonable remuneration for health workers and professionals in the health sector.

While noting that government is willing to build partnership with the association to improve the general well-being of citizens, the administration he added has not only put in place measures to ensure that patients get drugs that are of high quality ,safe, efficacious and affordable, it has also embarked on free Rural Health Outreach Programmes.

In the face of dwindling resources, the administration, Capt Wada explained, has also provided State Hospitals with adequate and modern equipments for prevention, diagnosis, mitigation and treatment of ailments and diseases, emphasized his administration's commitment to the overall well-being of citizens through the provision of quality healthcare services.

The Governor appealed to Healthcare givers in Nigeria to eschew rancor, acrimony and bitterness, but should cultivate team spirit in the overall interest of healthcare delivery in the country.

In an address of welcome, Pharm. Yakubu Maji, National Chairman, NAHAP, said the theme of the 17th Annual National Scientific Conference of the NAHAP, “Transforming Hospital and Administrative Practice for improved Health care delivery” was chosen to help reposition the Pharmacy profession to enable it play its role in regulating, control and the use of medicine from abuse.

ABU MICHAEL,
Chief Press Secretary,
Deputy Governor,
Kogi State.