Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has promised to ensure that quality healthcare becomes a right for all citizens and not a privilege. This will improve life expectancy and sustain progress in controlling child and maternal mortality rates.
The Governor said his administration has resolved to fight head-on the menace of drug counterfeiting that could predispose the citizens to sudden death and a surge of emergency ailments that have the capacity to cause death and infirmity in society.
Oyebanji stated these in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, while flagging off the distribution of equipment to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and the commissioning of the Pharma-Grade Warehouse located within the precinct of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH)
Governor Oyebanji said the Primary Healthcare facility is significant to improving life expectancy, being the closest and most affordable to the people at the grassroots
He stated that the Drug Management Agency’s new pharma-grade warehouse and the distribution of medical equipment to PHC facilities demonstrate the government’s commitment to the people’s health and reflect its growing capacity to attract partnerships and investments that strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life.
He disclosed that the warehouse, built with the support of the Global Fund, stands as a key pillar of an effective and transparent drug management system and provides the Drug Management Agency with the infrastructure it needs to operate at the highest professional standard.
Oyebanji was upbeat that the facility would ensure the continuous availability of quality, safe, and affordable medical supplies for hospitals and health facilities across the state.
He revealed that the agency’s average monthly revenue has spiralled from ₦28 million to ₦75 million, demonstrating greater efficiency, accountability, and sustainability of the drug supply system.
Earlier, the state’s commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said the speed with which the Governor approved the counterpart funding was responsible for the approval given to the state to have the warehouse, noting that Ekiti was initially not on the radar of states to benefit from the project.