FG and USAID to Spend 10 Million US Dollars to Construct Medical Stores in Abuja

The Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is to spend 10 Million US Dollars (about  N2 billion)for the construction of three warehouses at the Premier Medical Stores, Abuja.

The Supervising Minister for Health, Dr.Khaliru Alhassan disclosed this in Abuja Tuesday at the Official Ground Breaking Ceremony for the construction of the Warehouse in a Box ‘WIB’ Project.

The Minister explained that presently, the Federal Medical Stores, Lagos serves as the only central storage hub for health products procured by the Federal Ministry of Health, local and International Agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that work in partnership with the Ministry.

He noted that the project is in line with the National Strategic Health Development Plan, and stressed that the project will enhance the delivery of the ministry’s mandate and ultimately the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan.

He maintained that drugs and other health commodities are special items that require the provision of appropriate storage conditions to ensure and retain their potency and efficacy thus the construction of the project is the step in the right direction.

While thanking the USAID for this kind gesture, he called on other agencies and partners to join in these efforts to ensure provision of adequate storage infrastructure that will ensure effective healthcare delivery services to Nigerians.

Earlier, the United Nations Mission Director, Michael Harvey in his goodwill message pledged to sustain US partnership with Nigeria adding that Nigeria is the largest health project the US Government has in the world. 

He noted that the project will help ameliorated the challenges associated with drug supply and distribution in Nigeria.

Also Speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr.Ado Mohammed noted that when the project is completed, it will transform the supply chain management as well as improve healthcare system in Nigeria.

 Markus Y.Mangai

ACIO