Sodiq Ojuroungbe
Pharmacists in Ogun State under the auspices of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, have decried their exclusion from the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency programme.
They expressed concerns that despite their qualifications and the critical role they play in healthcare delivery, they were not integrated into the framework of the health insurance programme.
The chairman of the body, Adewale Adenugba raised the concerns on Monday, during a press briefing organised as part of the activities line-up for this year’s ‘PSN Ogun State Pharmacy Week’ billed to be held from July 9 to 11.
Further stressing the need for inclusivity in the state health insurance initiative, he noted that pharmacists play a pivotal role in patient care, providing essential services such as medication management and counselling, which are integral to improving health outcomes.
The PSN chairman also said they possess specialised knowledge that complements other healthcare professionals.
He also said pharmacists have a lot more to deliver for the success of the health development policies of the state government.
Adenugba added, “We solicited the favour of the state government for the appointment of a substantive pharmacist in the OGSIA as there are many Senior Pharmacists in the pool of the state civil service which can fit into the agency and help it in providing seamless pharmaceutical services and medication logistics to subscribers of the Health Insurance Program as is the practice in many states across the country and the Federal Government’s National Health Insurance Agency.”
He, however, said the Ogun State Government has given appointment opportunities to members of the association, including the promotion of some pharmacists to the rank of Permanent Secretaries in the past and the creation of the Drug Management Agency, which is currently hiring a pharmacist to serve as its Executive Secretary.
Speaking about the upcoming pharmacy week, the PSN chairman said over 1,000 registered pharmacists in the state will converge in Abeokuta to celebrate the profession and improve their practice through the annual lecture.
“This year’s conference theme is ‘Capacity Building and Professional Development: Strengthening the Pharmacy Workforce for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria’.
“Her Excellency Mrs Bamidele Abiodun will be the Special Guest of Honour. The programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of Pharmacists to deliver Universal Health Coverage as the closest healthcare workers to the people.
“The programme will be heralded by a health walk against Drug Abuse which will also involve a medical outreach at the popular Ita-Oshin motor park in Abeokuta.,” he revealed.
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