Category: Health

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.

… Project HOPE initiative strengthens primary healthcare delivery across the state

The Kwara State Government has distributed new hospital equipment, essential drugs, and medical supplies to the State Hospital Management Board and Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.

The intervention, carried out under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (Project HOPE) initiative, underscores the administration’s sustained investment in improving access to quality and affordable healthcare, particularly at the grassroots level.

Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the State Project HOPE Steering Committee, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, who performed the official handover, said the gesture reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision to build a functional and inclusive health system.

“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision is clear — to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and reliable for every Kwara resident, regardless of location. This gesture is another step towards achieving that vision,” Dr. Nuru said.

She urged the benefiting facilities to put the items to proper use, adding that Project HOPE was designed to address long-standing gaps in infrastructure, manpower, and service delivery across the health sector.

Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, commended the Governor for his continued support and investment in the health sector. She said the intervention is part of the broader plan to revitalise primary healthcare and ensure sustainability.

“We are witnessing the fruits of a deliberate strategy to strengthen our PHC system through infrastructure upgrades, supply of essential commodities, and capacity-building for health workers. This is how we build a healthier Kwara,” Prof. Elelu said.

Receiving the items on behalf of the healthcare facilities, Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board, expressed appreciation to the government and pledged that the materials would be effectively utilised to improve patient care.

The distributed equipment include outreach tricycles, motorcycles, adult and child weighing scales, hospital beds and mattresses, delivery couches, haematology analysers, laboratory tools, sphygmomanometers, laptops, dressing trolleys, essential drugs, and other medical supplies.

First Lady Olufolake AbdulRazaq urges parents to ensure full participation as state targets 1.8 million children in 10-day health drive

The Kwara State Government has launched an integrated vaccination campaign against Measles-Rubella and Polio to safeguard children from life-threatening diseases.

The 10-day exercise, which begins on Saturday, October 11, 2025, aims to reach at least 1.8 million children across the state. Children aged 9 months to 14 years will receive the Measles-Rubella vaccine, while those aged 0 to 5 years will be given the oral polio vaccine.
The campaign, organised by the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), was flagged off on Thursday in Ilorin.

Kwara’s First Lady, Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq, described the vaccination drive as a life-saving initiative that reflects the state’s commitment to child health and family wellbeing.

“This initiative is not just a policy milestone but a life-saving intervention for our children and families,” she said. “I urge all parents and guardians to present their children for vaccination.”
She explained that Nigeria’s low vaccination coverage, with only 60 percent of children receiving the first dose of measles vaccine and 38 percent getting the second, has contributed to frequent outbreaks. The introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine, she noted, would help close this gap and protect more children.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdullahi Taoheed, called the campaign a transformative public health effort and urged stakeholders to raise awareness and overcome any barriers to vaccination.

Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Professor Nusirat Elelu, said over 8,600 trained health workers, supervisors, and security personnel have been deployed for the exercise.

“Measles remains one of the most contagious and fatal viral diseases affecting children worldwide, despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines,” she said, noting that global vaccination efforts have averted over 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023.

She warned that Rubella poses serious risks to pregnant women and unborn babies, stressing that immunization, antenatal services, and non-complicated deliveries remain free in all primary healthcare centres across the state.
Professor Elelu praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi for their support, and thanked the First Lady for her consistent advocacy for maternal and child health.

Representatives of WHO, UNICEF, and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency all reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines and encouraged parents to cooperate with vaccination teams.

The event was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, lawmakers, and community leaders who pledged to support the campaign and help ensure every eligible child is vaccinated.

…Dr. Jetawo-Winter says state’s investment in healthcare attracts strong donor support, assures more civil servants and families will soon be enrolled

Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KW-HIA), Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, says more than 100,000 residents have so far enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme.

She explained that the beneficiaries cut across students, informal sector workers, persons living with disabilities, and private organizations, with civil servants and their families expected to join soon.

Dr. Jetawo-Winter credited the success of the scheme to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s investments in healthcare, which she said have also attracted strong support from international donors.

“Today, we have more than 100,000 beneficiaries enjoying health insurance in the state,” she said at a community engagement in Ijomu Oro, Irepodun Local Government, organized in collaboration with the European Union through the EU-SARAH Initiative.

“In recent years, Kwara has received unprecedented donor support in health, covering under-5 children, young women and pregnant mothers, the physically challenged, and people living with diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. One of such is the EU-SARAH initiative, powered by the European Union with UNICEF and UNFPA technical assistance. These accomplishments have made Kwara State attractive to donor organizations.”

She disclosed that under the EU-SARAH Initiative, 15,000 people in the target population will get free access to quality healthcare services at nearby facilities for the next few years.

Dr. Jetawo-Winter also commended Governor AbdulRazaq’s deliberate investments in healthcare infrastructure and manpower, noting: “From primary healthcare centres to tertiary hospitals, our Governor is intentional about the health and safety of citizens.”

Last week, the agency sensitized residents of Afon, Reke, and Aboto-Oja in Asa Local Government on the benefits of the scheme.

The event in Ijomu Oro was attended by dignitaries, including Kwara House of Assembly member for Irepodun Constituency, Hon. Shola Odetundun; Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin; Barr. Teju Oguntoye; Hon. Olabode Adekanye; Prince Samuel Alebiosu; APC Chairperson in Irepodun, Hajia Rasheedat Kareem; General Manager of The Herald Newspapers, Mr. Yomi Adeboye; and President of Kwara South Youth Organisation, Abolarin Dan-Sarafa.

The Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye II, was represented by the Eesa of Oro, High Chief Samuel Taiye. Baale of Ijomu Oro, High Chief Matthew Taiye Ademola, and High Chief Samuel Oguniyi also attended.

In their goodwill messages, Hon. Odetundun and Barr. Oguntoye praised the turnout of community members and encouraged them to embrace the health insurance scheme.

Oba Titiloye, through his representative, urged residents to take advantage of the affordable healthcare programme, commending Governor AbdulRazaq’s passion for development, particularly in the health sector.

Oloriewe Raheem also lauded the Governor’s initiatives across key sectors, describing the EU-SARAH partnership as a recognition of the government’s commitment to healthcare.

…Programme funded through UNICEF’s $500,000 Leadership Challenge Award

The Kwara State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has trained 100 newly recruited health workers to strengthen the delivery of effective, safe, and timely primary healthcare services across the state.

The nine-day training, which took place in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government, was facilitated by the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWSPHCDA) with funding support from UNICEF. The funds came from the $500,000 Leadership Challenge Award won by the state, marking the second time Kwara has clinched the North Central prize.

Executive Secretary of KWSPHCDA, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the programme was designed to build the capacity of the new recruits, many of whom were employed during the state’s last recruitment exercise and had little or no prior experience in primary healthcare facilities.

“This training is crucial because it provides an opportunity to introduce them to the basics of Primary Health Care. Some of them are coming into this space for the first time, and we must equip them to serve effectively,” she said.

Director of Primary Health Care Systems, Dr. Michael Oguntoye, explained that the trainees were taken through the principles of PHC, including preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services. He stressed that the exercise would improve health outcomes and promote healthier communities.

“This training will ensure that even those who have never worked in a PHC setting are adequately prepared to function well in their duty posts,” Dr. Oguntoye added.

Also speaking, the Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Mr. Olayioye Ajide, briefed the participants on civil service rules guiding health workers, warning against acts of misconduct and urging them to remain law-abiding and diligent in their duties.

The State Coordinator of Civil Society for Malaria Control, Immunization and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Femi Olatunbosun, lauded the state government and the agency for sustaining capacity-building initiatives for health workers, describing it as a step toward improved healthcare delivery in Kwara.

… AbdulRazaq says Dr. Abdullahi’s feat places Kwara, Nigeria on global health map

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated Dr. Adam Hussein Abdullahi, a Lafiagi-born global health scientist, on winning the prestigious Collaborative Initiative for Paediatric HIV Education and Research (CIPHER) Grant.

Valued at $150,000, the CIPHER Grant was awarded to just four researchers worldwide after a highly competitive process involving over 1,000 applicants. Dr. Abdullahi, a child of Dr. Abdullahi Amanah, President of the Lafiagi Descendants’ Development Union (LADDU), emerged as one of only two Africans selected in this cycle.

A former Harvard Takemi Fellow and Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, Dr. Abdullahi has made notable contributions in global health, with his work covering SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunogenicity in West Africa and Mpox transmission risks in Nigeria.

Governor AbdulRazaq described the award as a reward for Dr. Abdullahi’s years of research, dedication, and professional commitment to advancing solutions in global health.

“We are proud of the achievements of Dr. Adam Hussein Abdullahi. This global recognition is not only a personal triumph but also a moment of pride for Kwara and Nigeria. His research and humanitarian mission to help young children live meaningful lives despite their HIV status are inspiring. We wish him many more breakthroughs and recognitions in the years ahead,” the Governor said in a statement.

The Governor urged Dr. Abdullahi to remain steadfast in his mission of improving lives through science and innovation, noting that his feat has placed Kwara and Nigeria on the global map of health research excellence.

… New initiative to ensure indigent patients are not denied treatment in state hospitals

The Kwara State Hospitals Management Board (KWHMB) has announced the establishment of the Patient Medical Assistance Trust Fund, a scheme aimed at providing timely financial support for patients who are unable to afford essential medical care.

According to the Board, the initiative is designed to ensure that no patient in state hospitals is denied treatment due to financial constraints.

The Trust Fund will mobilize resources through corporate social responsibility donations and individual contributions, which will be used to cover the cost of critical treatments, surgeries, and medications for indigent patients.

Dr. Abdulraheem Malik, Executive Secretary of KWHMB, said the scheme underscores the government’s commitment to equity, compassion, and improved access to healthcare for all residents of Kwara State.

“The Patient Medical Assistance Trust Fund is a vital step in bridging the gap between medical need and affordability. It will ensure that the most vulnerable members of our society can access lifesaving healthcare without the burden of financial hardship,” he said.

…CMD Applauds Governor AbdulRazaq

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The Chief Medical Director of Kwara State Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), Dr. Bola Ahmed, has praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in the state. Dr. Ahmed spoke during a ceremony marking the presentation of advanced critical medical equipment to the hospital’s Dr. Amuda Aluko Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Describing the equipment delivery as “another landmark achievement” of the current administration, Dr. Ahmed highlighted the tangible improvements in healthcare infrastructure and patient care. The newly provided items aim to bolster the hospital’s capacity across several specialties, including surgery, anesthesia, and emergency medicine.

Equipment unveiled at the event includes a high-powered C-ARM imaging system (10 kW) for precise surgical guidance, a modern operating table designed for optimal patient care, a diathermy machine for elective tissue procedures, a ventilator, and an anesthesia machine—each set to elevate the hospital’s capability to deliver advanced healthcare services.

Dr. Idowu Ogunlaja, Chairperson of the hospital’s Medical Advisory Committee, also commended the state government for equipping the hospital and reaffirmed the management’s commitment to protecting and utilising the investments to improve treatment services effectively.

The presentation was attended by several hospital officials, including the Hospital Secretary, Mr. Aliyu Yusuf, and the Head of Nursing Department, Mrs. Yusuf Nimota.

This milestone reflects Governor AbdulRazaq’s wider strategy to position Kwara State as an exemplar in quality and accessible healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

…New facility expected to improve round-the-clock healthcare delivery in Ilorin

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The Kwara State Government has donated a new set of modern ultrasound equipment and solar power accessories to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), Ilorin, to strengthen its capacity for 24-hour healthcare services.

The presentation took place on Tuesday at the hospital premises. Representing the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Bola Ahmed, at the event was the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council, Dr. Idowu Ogunlaja.

Dr. Ogunlaja described the donation as a landmark gesture by the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, saying it would significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to provide affordable and quality healthcare to residents of Kwara and neighbouring states.

He praised the Governor’s commitment to healthcare development, describing the sector as key to the well-being of the people. “This is another milestone that reflects the government’s serious investment in the health of its citizens,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed, through his representative, assured that the hospital would put the equipment to good use and ensure improved access to diagnostic services.

The new items include a high-grade ultrasound scanning machine and solar panels with their accessories, designed to support continuous service delivery even during power outages.

The event was attended by several hospital and government officials, including the Hospital Secretary, Mallam Yusuf Aliyu; a representative of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam; Mrs. Abdullah Fatimoh; Store Officer Mr. Karim Babatunde; and other KWASUTH staff.