By Sade Adewale

The Chief Medical Director of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, (UNIMEDTH), Dr. Oluwole Ige has lauded the new initiative of the institution’s Pharmacy Department  for dispensing drugs for the production of antiseptic  so as to prevent  the spread of coronavirus.

Ige who disclosed this in an interview in his office said the development will increase savings and grows manpower for the organization.

He stated that the idea was borne out of the need to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic with the ripple effect which was affecting supplies delivery

He said that the prices of supplies are on the high side due to the effect of lockdown among other logistics.

According to the CMD, the hospital is making use of the opportunities inherent in the crises by looking inward for inclusive economy of the teaching hospital.

He stated that they also hope to develop skills and technical knowledge of the personnel through production of hand sanitizers, methylated spirit and soap solutions.

Dr. Oluwole Ige said the department has liaised with a Chinese company in Ore Industrial Hub that produces ethanol from Cassava for large quantity of supplies.

He said that it would be used for production of methylated spirit and hypo chloride acid which is popularly known as bleach to serve as antiseptic in the hospital.

A production pharmacist and the Head of Department in the institution, Mr. Adegoke Adeyemi explained that they have produced and distributed over 1000 litters of hand sanitizers to the hospital.

He said 500mls of branded hand sanitizer cost hospital N1, 550.00. More so, he said all their materials are of NAFDAC standard and that the department is working with a SME factory at Technology Incubation Center in Akure to produce all these materials including soap solutions.

The HoD added that the department will soon go into compounding of drugs, selling of antiseptic consumables for the general public to control the substandard products in the market.