Nasarawa, UNICEF partner to tackle fake drugs
The Nasarawa State Government has partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund to curb the spread of fake drugs in primary and tertiary medical facilities across the 13 local government areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna made this known on Tuesday in Lafia the state capital, while inspecting the multi-million naira infrastructural projects embarked upon by the state government and UNICEF at the premises of the Nasarawa State Drugs and Supplies Management Agency.
Gwamna explained that the inspection of the ongoing upgrade of facilities including warehouses at NASDSMA was to ensure that the contractor carried out the work according to the terms of the contracts ahead of the commissioning of the project.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and materials used by the contractor, adding that it was the best in the North-Central Geo-Political zone of the country.
Gwamna further explained that the establishment of the agency had tackled the problem of the non-availability of quality and affordable drugs in all public health facilities in the state.
“I want to commend UNICEF for contributing 85 per cent of the total sum of the project. This is a clear indication that they love the people of Nasarawa State, and as a people, we are grateful to them for their support.
“And I can state clearly that with this huge investment in the infrastructure, and the ability to purchase drugs directly from the manufacturers, the era of supply of substandard and non-availability of drugs in our healthcare facilities is over.
“The prices of drugs in public facilities are now also affordable and uniform across the state because the agency also controls it. At the moment, we are also extending the gesture to private hospitals in the state who are willing to transact business with us,” the commissioner added.
While commending the contractor for working according to the specification of the project, Dr. Gaza Gwamna said delivering quality healthcare services was one of the top most priorities of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration.
He, therefore, assured all that the state government would continue to work hard in order to address the health needs of the residents.
The health sector has encountered difficulties in dealing with the sale of counterfeit drugs in recent times.
In March, the Nigeria Customs Service Area Controller for Oyo/Osun Area Command, Dr Ben Oramalugo, reported that the command discovered fake pharmaceuticals hidden within 53 sacks.
These included Augmentin tablets, Ampiclox, and Amoxycillin capsules, with a calculated value of N1,739,000,000.00.
