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By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi government on Friday inaugurated a Sustainable Drugs Supply System (SDSS) for reduction in fake and counterfeit drugs in the state.
The state’s Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said at the inauguration in Government House Lokoja, that the SDSS would enhance transparency and accountability in health facilities across the state.
Bello, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, added that the SDSS would facilitate Research and Development, accessibility of foreign aids, job creation and revenue generation, among others.
According to him, drugs supply to Health facilities was plagued by gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds, permitted by the old inefficient Essential Drug Revolving Scheme, with loopholes that allowed corruption to thrive.
“It was a norm for our drugs to be diverted, or sold without any refund to the state coffers, and this was responsible for the continuous unavailability of essential drugs in our health facilities.
“When we came on board, one of our first strive was to ensure that we stop this anomaly, but our sincere intention was met with stiff opposition from those who had been feeding fat from this misnomer.
“One of the greatest tool I considered efficient in the fight against corruption, is technology which is one of the foremost component of the SDSS.
“We had to fight tooth and nail to make today possible and it gives me great joy that we are finally here.
“Imagine having a system where we can monitor drug distribution channels by just a click of a button,” he said.
He, however, reiterated government’s commitment to ensure that the system was rid of unwholesome practices and give Kogi residents quality and affordable health care services that they truly deserve.
Dr Abubakar Kabiru, the Executive Director, Kogi Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA) commended the governor and the commissioner for the initiative and urged the beneficiaries to effectively manage the new system.
Kabiru also applauded the governor for giving the state’s health sector priority, especially the recent recruitment of over 2000 health workers to boost human capacity in the sector.
The benefiting hospitals are; Specialist Hospital, Kabba; Zonal Hospitals (Okene, Ankpa, Oguma); General Hospital, Isanlu and Cottage Hospital Adogo in Ajaokuta.
(NAN)
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