A non-governmental organisation, Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development (SFPD) has donated drugs and consumables worth N1.7 billion towards improving healthcare delivery in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
SFPD Coordinator and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Mera, while handing over the items to the states’ representatives, described the gesture as a landmark achievement to enhance the lives of the people, especially the less privileged.
Mera disclosed that the Foundation is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, with a mission to uplift people’s lives in different sectors.
“The medicines and medical supplies complement the efforts of Sokoto and Kebbi States Ministries of Health on Healthcare delivery especially for women and children.
“The gesture was received from MAP International, a US-based Global Health Organisation donating lifesaving medicine and health supplies to underserved communities worldwide.
”It was facilitated by Aminu Yaro, a Nigerian, and Nell Diallo, who was a Senegalese with financial support from the Reed Foundation,” Mera said.
The Coordinator appreciated the Federal Government of Nigeria for waiving customs duties worth N254 million to facilitate the import of the donated commodities into the country.
He further urged the states to distribute the medicines and supplies to hospitals and clinics for the benefit of deserving patients and other beneficiaries in the state.
Mera expressed optimism that the management would ensure judicious use of the items, noting that more states are expected to benefit as the present gesture was the first phase of the lineup programme.
Responding on behalf of the Sokoto State Government, the Director General of Sokoto State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency (DMSMA), Mr Umar Attahiru, expressed appreciation to the foundation saying the items would surely support government efforts.
He commended the good leadership of Sultan Abubakar that had attracted such giant efforts, and assured proper use of the items to the intended populace.
The Kebbi State Government representative and the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Shehu Nuhu, said the drugs and consumables are essential needs to the population.
Nuhu said it would yield positive impacts on the lives of the citizens, stressing that the consignment contained relevant medicines that are periodically needed, especially among pregnant women and children across the states.
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