The Nasarawa State Government, in a bid to address the menace of counterfeit drugs in the state, has forged a partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to combat the proliferation of fake medications in primary and tertiary medical facilities across the state.

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The collaboration was announced by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, during an inspection visit to the Nasarawa State Drugs and Supplies Management Agency (NASDSMA) in Lafia, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Gwamna revealed that the ongoing upgrade of facilities, including warehouses at NASDSMA, aims to ensure the effective management and distribution of drugs in accordance with international standards.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and materials used in the project, describing it as the best in the North-Central Geo-Political Zone.

The commissioner further stated the importance of the agency in addressing the challenges of drug availability and affordability in public health facilities across the state.

He commended UNICEF for its significant contribution to the project, stating that it demonstrates the organization’s commitment to improving healthcare in Nasarawa State.

“I want to commend UNICEF for contributing 85 per cent of the total sum of the project. This is a clear indication that they love the people of Nasarawa State, and as a people, we are grateful to them for their support.

“And I can state clearly that with this huge investment in the infrastructure, and the ability to purchase drugs directly from the manufacturers, the era of supply of substandard and non-availability of drugs in our healthcare facilities is over.

“The prices of drugs in public facilities are now also affordable and uniform across the state because the agency also controls it. At the moment, we are also extending the gesture to private hospitals in the state who are willing to transact business with us,” He stated.

Gwamna, commended the contractor for working according to the specification of the project, stating that delivering quality healthcare services was one of the top most priorities of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration.

The commissioner reiterated the administration’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to residents and assured continued efforts to address health needs effectively.

The fight against counterfeit drugs has been a pressing issue in Nigeria, with recent seizures reported across the country.

Recall that in March, the Nigeria Customs Service discovered fake pharmaceuticals, including Augmentin tablets and Amoxycillin capsules, with an estimated value of N1.7 billion in Oyo/Osun Area Command.

Workers of Bali local government area in Taraba State have been groaning over non-payment of their salaries for the past four months.

This has resulted in hunger, starvation, lack of access to health services, and other forms of hardship.

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The workers numbering 64 from different departments in the council said the local government chairman, Aboki Dauda, had withheld their salaries for the past four months without any justification.

The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the council, Comrade Abdulmumuni Isa, confirmed the development.

The NULGE chairman said the problem started when the council embarked on staff audit and verification in December 2023. “The situation led to the removal of some of the staff members from the bursary which affected some of the genuine workers of the local government,” Isa said.

On their part, the workers said they have been on the payroll of the local government before Dauda was elected as its chairman.

One of the affected workers said, “We were genuinely employed in different departments of Bali local government area, we have our pay slips and have been collecting our monthly salaries. We have our promotions and all the required documents to prove to any authority as the council staff.

“The unjust treatment meted on us is unimaginable, we are passing through serious hardship, coupled with the national economic crisis and the one initiated by our council, it has not been easy for the past four months. Our children can’t return to schools; we can’t attend to medication nor eat well.”

The leader of the affected workers Mallam Kashimu Bello who unveiled the list of his colleagues said the workers have initiated plans to stage a protest at the Taraba State House of Assembly to submit their grievances to Governor Agbu Kefas.

Special adviser to the Yobe State governor on Hajj Operations, Alhaji Baffa Maina, has commended the governor, Hon Mai Mala Buni, for keeping to his campaign promises to the Yobe people, especially the construction of township roads, schools, model market, hospital, cargo international airport, and setting up of 140 healthcare centres.

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In an interview with newsmen in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, Maina said Buni is a servant of God who has shown integrity and accountability in the management of the state resources.

He said, “Buni has kept his promise for the construction of houses, roads, schools, and the establishment of primary health care centres.”

He said Yobe is the home of APC and that what the governor has been doing in fulfilling his campaign promises especially his urban renewal programme has made the campaign easier for all APC candidates in the state and nationally.

He said that he has brought development closer to the people by establishing 140 functional Primary Healthcare Centres, out of the 178 proposed for every political ward, adding that he has also upgraded six primary healthcare centres to general hospitals, and four general hospitals upgraded to specialist hospitals.

“We shall continue to be grateful and reassure the government of our continued support and loyalty. We hope that God will continue to grant you wisdom and protection,” he said.

“I want to use this opportunity to inform you that I am impressed by the performance of Governor Mai Mala Buni. He has done very well in security and project execution in Yobe State. We are proud of him and urge him to do more for the people,” he added.

He called on the opposition parties in the state to support the governor in the state’s interest.