By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has pledged that his administration will continue to invest in technology, capacity building, and policy reforms that will strengthen health systems in the State.

The Governor made this pledge on Tuesday while commissioning the upgraded central medical stores of Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency To Pharma-Grade Warehouse.

He opined that his administration shall continue to extend hands of fellowship to development partners towards improving the health indices and health infrastructures of the State.

“The establishment of the State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency with a clear and critical mandate to ensure regular supply of quality drugs and health commodities to all public health facilities and institutions in Ondo State at affordable cost, made the former State Central Medical Store inadequate for efficient supply chain and storage of drugs and health commodities required in the State.

“The new Pharma-grade Warehouse has been designed and equipped to maintain optimal storage conditions that preserve the integrity of every drug and health commodity stored therein. This means that when these medicines and public health commodities get to our hospitals, clinics and health centres, safety and effectiveness are guaranteed.

“This upgrade also strengthens our ability to manage inventory efficiently, reduce wastage and ensure timely distribution across the State. It is a critical step toward building a resilient healthcare supply management chain that can withstand shocks and meet the growing demands of our population.

“One of the greatest threats to public health in Nigeria and many parts of Africa is the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs. These fake medicines not only fail to treat illnesses, but can cause serious harm and eventual death.

“With the availability of this Pharma-grade Warehouse we will ensure that our drugs are sourced exclusively from registered and reputable pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers. We have put in place stringent procurement policies and quality assurance mechanisms to prevent counterfeit drugs from entering our supply chain. By doing so, we protect our people from the dangers of fake medicines and build trust in our public healthcare system. This is a responsibility we take very seriously.

The Governor congratulated the staff and management of the State Ministry of Health and in particular the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency for the Pharm-grade warehouse that is expected to enhance the State’s health service delivery, urging them to uphold a high level of maintenance culture to justify the huge investment.

He also appreciated the partners in prioritising the needs of the State and in developing and implementing Annual Operational plans across the health sector.

Earlier in his address, the Executive Secretary, Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency, Dr Amos Ayegbusi noted that the project is in perfect alignment with the “Efficient Healthcare and Socio-economic Welfare” pillar of the “OUR EASE” Agenda championed by Governor Aiyedatiwa.

He stated that the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa has been instrumental in driving this progress, expressing his gratitude for his swift release of the counterpart funds that enabled prompt completion of the project.

” Our agency does not work in Isolation; we are proud of the collaborative efforts with key health stakeholders in the state, including the Ministry of Health, the Hospitals” Management Board, the Contributory Health Commission and the Primary Healthcare Development Agency. These partnerships have been crucial in ensuring that health facilities under the state health insurance scheme, ORANGHIS, receive regular capitation payments, and that the facilities continue to provide quality care to our people.

“The completion of the age-old abandoned building project located behind the new warehouse will be a tremendous achievement for this administration. With ample space and accommodation, it could serve as a potentially foundation for commencing local production of essential drugs and health commodities”.

He appreciated the Special Adviser on Health, Professor Simidele Odimayo, for his readiness to push the matters of the agency to the fore at all times. He also thanked the members of the management team of ODHOMA for their unwavering support.

In his remarks, the Minster of Health, Prof Mohamed Ali Pate who was represented by the Coordinator, National Product Supply Chain Management Programme, Mrs Celine Onunkwo, noted that the milestone marks a significant achievement in President Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening the health supply system and ensuring the availability of quality medicines as we strive towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.

“The need for this upgrade was driven by our vision to create a more responsive, efficient, and sustainable healthcare supply system that meets the growing demands of our population”.

He added that the newly upgraded Central Medical Store will serve as the backbone of an integrated and efficient health supply chain, enabling the timely delivery of essential medicines and public health commodities.

He opined that Ondo State stands out as one of the first states to have its upgraded warehouse commissioned. “The journey to this moment began with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Ondo State Government.

“The objective of this agreement was clear to collaborate towards building a government-led supply chain that is effective, efficient, and financially self-sustaining. Our goal is to ensure that high-quality healthcare services are provided in a manner that is competitive and business-like while reinforcing our commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“In the past, the challenges of inadequate storage capacity, suboptimal inventory management, and delays in the distribution of medicines and other Health products hampered the efficiency of our healthcare delivery system. With this new warehouse, we are addressing these critical gaps. The upgraded facility is equipped with modern storage infrastructural, temperature-controlled environments, and improved logistics management systems to enhance efficiency and ensure uninterrupted availability and affordability of quality life-saving medicines and other Health products”.

The minister appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for his commitment towards improving the health indices of the good people of Ondo State.

He recognized the efforts of the stakeholders that made the upgrade of the warehouse possible, including The Global Fund (TGF) which provided 85% of the project fund (for the physical infrastructure), National Tuberculmis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP)-the Principal Recipient (PR) to the grant, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) the contractor for the warehouse structure, Land Designs Limited – the technical advisors for the project, and others who played ine role of the other in accomplishing the project.

“As we commission this warehouse today, we must recognize that this is only the begining. Sustainability is key to ensuring the long-term impact of this initiative. The Ondo State Government shall commit to making annual budgetary provisions for the maintenance of the warehouse.

“Additionally, we should continue to build the technical and managerial capacity of the warehouse personnel, ensuring that they are well-equipped to manage the facility efficiently and maintain high operational standards.

“Beyond the warehouse, the state must also invest in strengthening its distribution network. A resilient supply chain is not just about storage; it is about timely and efficient distribution to healthcare facilities where these commodities are most needed. Our ability to maintain and improve these systems will determine the success of our broader healthcare goals.

The Special Adviser on Health to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola, noted that the agency will maintain the commodities for the benefit of the people and would ensure that every citizen has access to quality health care service. He assured the Governor that the agency will continue his administration.

In attendance were; The Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Traditional rulers, members of the State Executive Council, top government functionaries, among others.