Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, SFPD, an NGO, has donated drugs and consumables worth N1.7 billion towards improving healthcare delivery to Sokoto and Kebbi states.
SFPD coordinator, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Mera, while handing over the items to the state representatives, described the gesture as a landmark achievement to enhance people’s lives, especially the less privileged.
Mera said the foundation is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, striving 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, 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 to benefit deserving patients and other beneficiaries in the state.
He expressed optimism that the management would ensure judicious use of the items, noting that more states are expected to benefit from the present gesture, which was the first phase of the lineup programme.
Responding on behalf of the Sokoto State government, Mr Umar Attahiru, the director general of Sokoto State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency, DMSMA, expressed appreciation to the foundation.
He commended the good leadership of Sultan Abubakar, who 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 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.
