By Esther Akaa
Kaduna State Government has urged pharmaceutical companies to establish factories in the state, to leverage its population, strategic location of connecting to other cities in the north and its sound investment climate.
The Commissioner of Health, Dr Amina Mohammed Baloni gave the charge at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kaduna State Health Supplies Management Agency (KADSHMA) and Pharma Partners, for the direct supplies of medicines to the state.
A statement issued on Thursday by the ministry said the state has 1169 health facilities that will benefit from the medical supplies, noting that the number should attract factories that will provide economies of scale to both parties.
According to the statement, Dr Baloni said the state government was committed to enthroning a conducive business environment and transparency, as well as sustainability that is captured in the State Development and Industrial Plan.
‘’With the MoU, Kaduna state is assured of getting quality and affordable medicines, directly from manufacturers, as well as a lockdown on prices to deal with volatility.
“Residents and students will have access to capacity building and research opportunities because of the establishment of a quality control laboratory to be set up in the state by the Pharma Partners,” she said.
The statement stated that the Chairman of PMG-MAN and CEO Fidson, Dr Fidelis Ayebea, CEO Enemel Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and CEO Juhel Nigeria Ltd. signed on behalf of the Pharma Partners.
It explained that the signing of the MoU took place at the Fidson Healthcare Factory, Otta, Ogun state, adding that it is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) aimed at saving lives.
According to the statement, Pharma Partners are under the auspices of PMG-MAN; Fidson Healthcare Plc., Enemel Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Juhel Nigeria Ltd.
The statement said that Dr Baloni led the KDSG Team, comprising the Executive Secretary of KADHSMA, Pharm. Aisha Tukur Isyaku and Director, PPP and Privatisation, KADIPA, Nufi Barnabas Yohanna to the event.
It would be recalled that, the state earlier signed a similar MoU with Bond and Ofrema at the last Kaduna State Investment and Economic Summit (KADINVEST 6.0) in September, 2021.