The Kano state government says it is committed to sustaining the Drugs Revolving Fund (DRF), a program that provides affordable, quality, and accessible drugs in public health facilities.
The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, made the assurance in his opening remarks at a 3-Day Biannual DRF Performance Feedback to Key Stakeholders held in Kaduna state.
The meeting objectives include 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 across 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 comes at the right time as DRF marks 20 years of operationalization in Kano.
“That is why we wouldn’t allow DRF to go down the drain. 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 as and are doing well,”
Represented by the DG Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA), Pharmacist Gali Sule, the commissioner, believed that failure of Kano DRF would affect other states operating similar scheme
“As of today, over 21 states are operating DRF in Nigeria because of the successes Kano has so far recorded. And, many of DRF specimens that are used at the national level are copied from Kano, and we are receiving commendations internationally; whoever wants to do supply chain will look at Kano. Therefore, we must ensure the scheme continues to be strengthened and sustained,”
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 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, that will promote effective health care delivery.
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 due to their passion to see the state healthcare system remains standardized.