Kwara to strengthen health sector
Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, says he will continue to prioritize and transform the health sector of the state.
The Governor, who is also the Grand Patron of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), said this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Pharmacy Week in Ilorin.
According to a statement issued in Ilorin on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mrs Modupe Joel, the Governor was represented at the event by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi.
On the theme of the occasion, ‘Medicine Security in an Emerging Economy, we are all involved’, the governor
explained that his administration employed a holistic approach to tackling health sector challenges.
He said its approach and policy thrust had favoured collaboration, especially in healthcare, where teamwork counts.
“Undoubtedly, the medical practitioners will have to make an appropriate diagnosis supported by validated laboratory test results.
“Pharmacists will have to be on ground to appropriately prescribe medication to the patients and maintain their vigilance in conjunction with the nurses to ensure there are no unwarranted reactions to the medications.
“Your role and impact as a well-coordinated team is to check unwholesome practices like drug and substance abuse, fake drugs, logistic management coordination, conventional sales, promotion and dispensing of pharmaceuticals.
“Whether as public officers or in a private or corporate capacity, your contributions to the development of Kwara as a whole are well appreciated,” he added.
Gov. AbdulRazaq recalled that his administration had reviewed the salaries of health workers, including pharmacists.
He said the recent appointment of a member of the PSN as the Executive Secretary of the Hospital Management Board called for more responsibility as a team to ensure mutual success.
The Governor encouraged the pharmacists to sustain the culture of adherence to global best practices, compliance to work and professional ethics for which they are known.
The President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Prof. Cyril Usifoh, said if adequate support is given to pharmaceutical companies in Kwara, they could provide the appropriate medicines for patients.
Usifoh appealed to policy makers not to compromise in creating an enabling environment for them to compete globally.
