Kaduna Seeks More Collaboration With Pharmaceutical Companies

The Kaduna government has said it is looking forward to a more robust partnership with pharmaceutical companies in the country to boost maternal and infant health in the state.

Hajia Umma  Ahmed, the commissioner for health in Kaduna spoke during the visit to the headquarters of Fidson pharmaceutical company in Lagos.

The commissioner said the existing partnership between Kaduna and manufacturers of drugs has increased focus on and availability of essential health commodities in the state.

She noted that there was an increase in averaged fill order rate from 38 per cent in September 2021 to 95 per cent in December 2023.

“We experienced an increase in on-shelf availability of essential medicine and life-saving commodities,” the commissioner said.

“There are affordable, accessible and qualitative essential commodities at the health facilities, and there are optimal quantities of life-saving commodities available at the warehouse.”

She added that the partnership is strengthening the supply chain system in the state.

The commissioner assured Azuka Okeke, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Africa Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC_ESM), that Kaduna state will not fail to deliver quality health to the people.

“We will work hard to improve on what we have on the ground, and we have always set the pace, and we will continue to do that.”

Speaking during the visit, Dr Fidelis Ayebae- the CEO of Fidson Pharmaceutical, said the company would continue its partnership with the Kaduna government to ensure a steady supply of essential drugs.

He added that the firm is committed to strengthening the collaboration with the state by equipping the pharma-grade warehouse under construction.

He also promised to continue to provide opportunities to build the capacity of the state supply chain team through the expertise of the Fidson Healthcare Plc supply chain unit.