To alleviate the suffering of flood victims in Borno State, the Federation of Nigerian Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (FeNPIA) and the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy (NAPharm) have donated essential medicines and medical supplies to the Borno State Government.
This donation supports the ongoing relief efforts by the Federal Ministry of Health for victims of the devastating floods, specifically addressing the urgent healthcare needs of thousands affected, particularly those in overcrowded Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
The donation ceremony took place at the Borno State Government House, facilitated by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, alongside the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.
In his remarks, Minister Pate commended FeNPIA for its generous contribution, emphasizing the significance of such initiatives in alleviating the hardships faced by those displaced by the floods. He highlighted that the donations included a wide range of essential medicines and medical consumables aimed at preventing disease outbreaks and providing immediate relief for health challenges among displaced persons. This reflects the capabilities of local pharmaceutical manufacturers, who produce many of these products domestically.
Dr. Okey Akpa, President of FeNPIA, stated that the association’s contribution underscores its commitment to collaborating with government entities and partners to ensure aid reaches Nigerians in need, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
“This donation also showcases the abilities of local pharmaceutical companies to meet the health needs of Nigerians across various therapeutic areas. The capacity of these local players is expected to grow significantly with the implementation of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Pharmaceutical Value Chain,” Akpa noted.
He expressed optimism about the swift implementation of this initiative, led by the Coordinating Minister for Health and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, ensuring improved healthcare for Nigerians.
Representatives from various member bodies of FeNPIA, including the Association of Pharmaceutical Importers of Nigeria (APIN), the Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (IPMIN), the Nigerian Association of Industrial Pharmacists (NAIP), the Nigerian Representatives of Overseas Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (NIROPHARM), and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN), were present at the ceremony.