Expands “Buy Kwara” initiative to support local pharmaceutical companies
#KwaraRising
The Kwara State Government has strengthened its healthcare workforce and infrastructure with the employment of more medical doctors, restoration of pharmacy training accreditations, and clinical training for 1,320 medical students across state-owned hospitals.
Executive Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board (KW-HMB), Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, announced this during an inter-ministerial press briefing held at the Ministry of Finance in Ilorin. He said the move reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery, promoting health equity, and ensuring sustainable operations across secondary health facilities in the state.
Dr. Malik confirmed that the Governor approved the recruitment of additional medical doctors and 30 intern pharmacists to address manpower shortages and enhance service delivery. He also disclosed that six hospital pharmacy departments had regained accreditation from the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) after more than two decades, allowing them to train graduate pharmacists.
“For the first time in Kwara’s history, intern nurses will also be trained in five secondary health facilities under the Board, following successful due diligence and approval processes,” he added.
Dr. Malik further announced the expansion of the state’s ‘Buy Kwara’ initiative, which now includes the sourcing of essential hospital supplies such as scrubs, lab coats, bedsheets, and work jackets from the Kwara Garment Factory (KGF), as well as pharmaceuticals from local manufacturers including Tuyil, Sam’s, HMA, and Biomedical.
He said the Hospitals Management Board plans to introduce a digital appointment system that will allow patients to book consultations with their preferred doctors ahead of visits, reducing waiting time and improving hospital efficiency.
Highlighting human capital development, Dr. Malik revealed that 1,320 medical students completed clinical training across state facilities, while new medical equipment worth millions of naira was deployed to strengthen diagnostics and treatment capacity in secondary hospitals.
“These steps align with the Governor’s vision of building a healthcare system that is people-centred, innovative, and sustainable,” he said.
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