By Usman Usman Garba
The people of Kano state have been assured that the Drugs Revolving Fund (DRF), which provides affordable, quality and accessible drugs in public health facilities, will not be allowed to collapse due to its immense benefits to the teeming populace.
In a statement signed by the Information Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Abdullahi quoted the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assuring that in his opening remarks at a 3-Day Biannual DRF Performance Feedback To Key Stakeholder, held in Kaduna state.
The meeting has the objective of providing feedback to key stakeholders on the performance of DRF operations at the Hospitals Management Board, Primary Health Care Management Board, and Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency.
Others are to discuss challenges affecting DRF operations in those agencies, to give solutions to the identified challenges, and to also develop the next steps for the increased performance of the scheme.
Dr Labaran acknowledged that the meeting has come at the right time because, by next year, DRF will celebrate 20 years of operationalization in Kano, adding that despite copious challenges they faced over the years, they haven’t allowed DRF to go down the drain.
He said, “I know some of you were part of the team that started DRF in Kano. Through your dedication, commitment and selfless service, the scheme sustained so much that many states in the country have copied Kano and are doing well.”
Represented by the DG Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), Pharm. Gali Sule, the commissioner, believes that failure of DRF would spread like a fire and inevitaby will affect its replice in other states.
“As of today, over 21 states are operating DRF in Nigeria because of its successes in Kano. Many products that are used at the national level are copied from Kano, and we are receiving commendations internationally; whoever wants to do a supply chain will look at Kano. Therefore, we must ensure the scheme continues to be strengthened and sustained,” said Dr. Draran.
He then charged the SHCSS committee to as a matter of urgency come up with modalities for the intensification of monitoring and supervision of health facilities operating DRF in top are the facifacility DRF in order to compare the facility monthly DRF report and the real situation of the scheme.
The commissioner assured the committee of the political will and support of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf led-administration to any programme, which ultimately leads to the enhancement of the care of the people of Kano state.
Dr. Labaran lauded the Global Affairs Canada Nutrition International Improved Diarrhoea Treatment Outcome Project through Forward in Action for Education, Poverty, and Malnutrition (FAcE-PaM) for their supporting supply chain of the state, assuring them of the continued harmonious working relationship because of their passion to see the state healthcare system remains standardized.
