The Nasarawa State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had taken steps to rid the state of fake and substandard drugs in primary, secondary and tertiary medical facilities.
Dr Gaza Gwamna, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lafia while inspecting the multi-millionaire project of the upgrade of facilities at the State’s Drugs Management and Supply Agency (NASDMSA).
The commissioner explained that the inspection of the ongoing upgrade of facilities at NASDMSA was to ensure that the contractor carried out the work according to the terms of the contracts ahead of commissioning of the project.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and materials used by the contractor and said that this is the best in the North-Central Geo-Political zone.
He added that the establishment of the agency had tackled the problem nonavailability of quality and affordable drugs in all public health facilities in the state.
“With this huge investment in the infrastructure and purchase of drugs directly from manufacturers, the era of supply of substandard and nonavailability of drugs in our facilities is over.
“The price of drugs in public falsities is affordable and uniform across the state because they agency also controls price.
“We are also extending the gesture to private hospitals in the state who are willing to transact business with us,” the commissioner added.
He said delivering quality healthcare services was one of the top most priority of the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration and adding that, the government would work hard to achieve universal health coverage.
Tht Commissioner was accompanied by Dr Hassan Nkrama, Chief Medical Director (CMD) Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia and other management staff of the ministry. (NAN).