.Minister for Health commends project

Kemi Olatunde

The availability of quality drugs is crucial for public health and individual well-being. It directly impacts the effectiveness of treatments, the safety of the medication, and overall healthcare outcomes. When quality drugs are readily available, individuals can be treated effectively, diseases can be managed more efficiently, and overall healthcare costs can be reduced.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is aware of the above facts, hence his administration’s massive investment in the health sector. The recent commissioning of the Pharma grade warehouse in the premises of the Ondo State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency in Akure on Tuesday.
Stakeholders in the health sector could not hide their feelings as they registered their presence at the epoch-making event. The calibre of guests both within and outside the state speaks volumes about the event.
It was indeed the official commissioning of the newly upgraded Central Medical Stores to a Pharma-grade Warehouse in Akure, the state capital.
Commissioning the edifice, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, reiterated his resolve to give priority to health adding that access to safe, quality, and affordable medicines is a fundamental part of the government’s commitment to building a healthier and stronger state.
He described the project as a major leap in strengthening the state’s healthcare delivery system and a bold step toward eliminating counterfeit and substandard drugs from public health facilities.
“Today marks another defining moment in our journey toward improved healthcare delivery and the well-being of all residents of Ondo State. The facility we are commissioning today is not just a warehouse, but a critical component of a resilient and responsive healthcare system.” He said .
Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the upgrade of the Central Medical Stores was the result of a strategic partnership between the Ondo State Government, the Federal Government, and the Global Fund through counterpart funding arrangements.
The governor highlighted that the State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency was originally established to guarantee the consistent supply of quality, affordable drugs, and health commodities to public health institutions.
The governor stressed that one of the most significant health threats in Nigeria and Africa at large is the widespread circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs. He assured the public that the new warehouse would strengthen quality assurance mechanisms and procurement systems.
“With this facility, we are taking concrete steps to eliminate fake medicines from our supply chain. We have instituted strict procurement policies to ensure that all drugs are sourced exclusively from registered and reputable pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers,” he added.
He stated that the facility would not only ensure optimal storage conditions but would also enhance inventory management, reduce wastage, and guarantee the timely and safe distribution of health commodities to hospitals and clinics across the state.
He also disclosed that the state recently collaborated with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to produce the first edition of the Ondo State Essential Medicines List, a major stride in standardizing healthcare delivery and drug availability.
“We envision a future where no Ondo citizen suffers or dies because of lack of access to quality medicines. A future where our hospitals and clinics are stocked with the right drugs, at the right time, and in the right condition,” the governor affirmed.
Giving his speech, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Muhammad who was represented by Pharm. Celine Onukwo noted that the event marked a significant achievement in the government’s commitment to strengthening the health supply system and ensuring the availability of quality medicines as Nigeria strives towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
He noted that the need for this upgrade was driven by the vision to create a more responsive, efficient, and sustainable healthcare supply system that meets the growing demands of our population.
The edifice, according to him, will serve as the backbone of an integrated and efficient health supply chain which would enable the timely delivery of essential medicines and public health commodities.
He noted that the ability to store, manage, and distribute public health commodities and essential medicines with precision and speed can mean the difference between life and death for millions of people who depend on essential supplies.
He hinted that Ondo State stands out as one of the first states to have its upgraded warehouse commissioned, stating that “the journey to this moment began with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ondo State Government.
“In the past, the challenges of inadequate storage capacity, suboptimal inventory management, and delays in the distribution of medicines and other health products hampered the efficiency of our healthcare delivery system. With this new warehouse, we are addressing these critical gaps. The upgraded facility is equipped with modern storage infrastructure, temperature-controlled environments, and Improved logistics management systems to enhance efficiency and ensure uninterrupted availability and affordability of quality life-saving medicines and other Health products.”
She also lauded the efforts of stakeholders that made the upgrade of the warehouse possible including The Global Fund (TGF) which he said provided 85 percent of the project fund (for the physical infrastructure), the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP)-the Principal Recipient, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)the contractor for the warehouse structure and Land Designs Limited-the technical advisors for the project, among others.
He called on the state government to make annual budgetary provisions for the maintenance of the warehouse adding that “we should continue to build the technical and managerial capacity of the warehouse personnel, ensuring that they are well-equipped to manage the facility efficiently and maintain high operational standards.
“Beyond the warehouse, the state must also invest in strengthening its distribution network. A resilient supply chain is not just about storage. It is about timely and efficient distribution to healthcare facilities where these commodities are needed. Our ability to maintain and improve these systems will determine the success of our broader healthcare goals.”
Speaking earlier in his welcome remark, Executive Secretary, ODHCMA, Pharm. Amos Ayegbusi described the event as a testament to a collective commitment to improving the healthcare system in Ondo State.
Speaking briefly about the Agency, he said; “We are driven by the vision to ensure that all public health facilities have access to quality drugs at affordable cost. This is the best way to protect our people against the dangers of counterfeit and substandard drugs. Today’s commissioning marks a significant step towards realizing the vision.”
He commended the Governor for his efforts in the health sector and also for the release of the counterpart funds that enabled prompt completion of this project.
He also lauded the collaborative efforts with key health stakeholders in the state, including the Ministry of Health, the Hospitals’ Management Board, the Contributory Health Commission, and the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, noting that the partnership has been crucial in ensuring that health facilities under the state health insurance scheme, ORANGHIS, receive regular capitation payments and that the facilities continue to provide quality care to the people.
He called for the completion of the age-old abandoned building project located behind the new warehouse by the government, noting that it could serve as a potential foundation for commencing local production of essential drugs and health commodities.