THE Delta State Government has expressed its readiness to address the issue of shortage of pharmacists in the state as part of measure to boost healthcare delivery in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Agas, stated this in Asaba when members of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria, Delta State chapter paid him a courtesy visit.
Hon. Agas noted that the Okowa administration places high premium on human capital development and assured the group that the state government would look into their appeal objectively, witha view to proffering a lasting solution.
The SSG inferred that pharmacists play crucial and important roles in human lives across the globe and as such, the state government will not undermine the importance and strategic functions of pharmacists in the state civil service.
He lamented the present economic recession confrontingnthe nation, saying that the state government would do the needful by considering employment of workers at the end of staff verification and biometric exercise. On the issue of slashing of allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) pharmacists serving in the state, the SSG promised to liaise with the Office of the Head of Service with a view to addressing the issue.
Earlier, the Chairman, Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter, Dr. Cletus Otene, had on behalf of the association, congratulated Hon. Agas on his appointment and appealed for the employment of more pharmacists to address the shortage of pharmacists in government owned health facilities across the state.
According to him, in 2005, during the regime of Governor James Ibori, few pharmacists were employed; while in 2006 only six pharmacists were employed, adding that before now, they had about 78 pharmacists in the hospitals but currently, the number has reduced to about 58 as a result of retirement and death of their colleagues In a related development, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Hon. Festus Agas has affirmed government’s commitment towards eradicating malnutrition in the state.
Hon. Agas gave the affirmation when members of the state Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN) Advocacy team paid him an advocacy visit in Asaba. Agas said the state government has been doing its best to eradicate the menace and pledged its continued support in the operations of the body.
While commending the group for the advocacy visit, he said the state government would always release the intervention fund to the group as and when due. Earlier, the team leader of the group, Mrs. Millie Amitaye had said that they were with the SSG to advocate the need for quality nutrition for children
No comments:
Post a Comment