Kogi Drug Agency Expands Reach, Provides Free Medical Supplies to Federal and State Institutions

By Rotimi Odofin

The Kogi State Drugs and Medical Supply Management Agency has intensified its efforts to enhance access to essential medicines by extending free drug donations to federal, state, and corporate organizations. This initiative is in alignment with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s healthcare vision.

Pharmacist Salamat Onize Ibrahim, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, announced that, in addition to its statutory responsibility of supplying drugs to state-owned health facilities, the Agency, under the directive of Governor Ododo and the Coordinating Health Commissioner, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez Adeiza, has consistently provided free medical supplies to various institutions across the state.

Pharmacist Salamat highlighted several of the Agency’s interventions, noting that free drugs have been distributed to:
– The Department of State Services (DSS) Clinic to address the shortage of essential drugs, particularly given the increasing patient volume;
– The Association of Resident Doctors at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (ARD-FUTH) Lokoja, supporting medical outreaches in the Maigari Palace area in Lokoja and Karara village in Koto Karfe, Kogi local government, during the AGM-health week activities;
– The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Officers Wives Association (CDOWA) during their medical outreaches, aiming to support women and girls and enhance the rights and welfare of the less privileged.

Additionally, the Agency has supported free medical outreach during:
– The civil service week across the state;
– The Nigeria Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF);
– The Medical and Health CDS group of the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) for their quarterly outreach, which includes screening for common diseases such as hypertension and malaria, assessing children for malnutrition, and providing free medications to orphanages. orphanage homes and other private and federal institutions within the state.

These interventions are part of the Agency’s broader commitment to complement ongoing healthcare efforts and ensure that quality, safe, and affordable drugs are accessible to all Kogi State residents.

Pharmacist Salamat reaffirmed the Agency’s dedication to reaching every part of the state with essential medical supplies, urging citizens to support Governor Ododo’s administration in strengthening the healthcare system.