Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Hosts Health Agency for Collaborative Partnership

In a strategic move towards enhancing healthcare delivery and regulatory enforcement, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Philemon A. Daffi, welcomed management of the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA), led by the Executive Secretary (ES), for a collaborative partnership. The visit aimed to foster closer ties between the legal and health sectors to ensure adherence to laws governing the provision of healthcare services and the regulation of pharmaceuticals.

During the visit, discussions revolved around the essential functions of the agency, which include ensuring access to safe, affordable, and high-quality medicines, as well as promoting local manufacturing and pharmacovigilance. Emphasis was placed on the operationalization of the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) and the need for legal guidance in drafting Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and indemnities.

The Attorney General expressed support for the agency’s initiatives, highlighting the government’s unwavering commitment to healthcare and emphasizing the critical role of enforcement in safeguarding public health. Collaborative efforts with regulatory bodies such as the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria were underscored as essential for combatting the circulation of substandard and fake drugs.

Furthermore, the Attorney General addressed concerns regarding the agency’s legal capacity, suggesting the possibility of employing visiting counsel to address legal matters effectively. He encouraged a review of existing laws to ensure they align with current exigencies and empower the agency to fulfill its mandate effectively.

In concluding remarks, both parties reiterated their commitment to working together in the interest of the people of Plateau State, emphasizing the importance of legislation, enforcement, and collaboration in achieving their shared goals. The visit concluded with assurances of continued support and open communication between the legal and health sectors to address emerging challenges and enhance healthcare provision in the state.

Malaria Consortium Undertakes Familiarisation Visit to PS-DMCMA

In order to ensure success in the execution of its programmes, the management team of Malaria Consortium undertook a familiarisation visit to the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA), where they were received by the Executive Secretary (ES) Pharm Kim Jerry Bot, and his management team.

During the visit, the team met and inter-faced with the ES and management of the DMCMA, after which they were taken round the almost commissioned warehouse of the agency, on Murtala Mohammed Way, Jos, where they had the privilege of seeing for themselves the state-of-the-art facility.

The team, after being received at temporary office complex of the PS-DMCMA, had a round table talk, in which they talked about areas of collaboration/partnerships.

Speaking, Ndak Zuhumnan, State Program Manager, Malaria Elimination Program, Plateau State, said they came to get to know more about the agency’s state of affairs, and preparedness of the State to accommodate all of the commodities that would be coming in for Malaria Consortium, in terms of the seasonal malaria chemo prevention,activity and other commodities that would be under the agency’s custody.

Dr Mashor Mbwas, State Coordinator, Malaria Consortium added that they need the DMCMA to also help in the tracking of their commodities as well. He said it is their desire that all children under five years of age are covered, and therefore they need the support and expertise of the agency in this regard.

The Executive Secretary, Pharm Bot, while responding, assured the management of Plateau State Malaria Consortium that ¨we are ready to work.¨ and that the agency is ready for the job. Saying, ¨We will stop at no junction to deliver on this goal¨
He assured them that the warehouse of the agency was well suited to accommodate their commodities, because of the quality of work done at the warehouse, and how secure it promises to be.

He said the agency is poised to fulfil the mandate of His Excellency, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Executive Governor of Plateau State as far as healthcare delivery is concerned.

Fwenji GO’AR,
Information and Public Relations,
PS-DMCMA