Oyo State government has commenced negotiation with a global drug manufacturer, Cobalt Partners to start the supply of drugs and medical equipment to the State soon.
Cobalt Partners supply drugs to over eight States in Nigeria as a leading manufacturer with reputation for the supply of genuine drugs.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello hinted journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday that the move to work with the drug company was hinged on the need to have only genuine drugs which would be supplied to all health institutions in the State and cut off the risk of unreliable drugs that might worsen people’s health conditions.
“We are in talk with Cobalt Partners because of their reputation as supplier of genuine drugs globally, in Nigeria alone, the company supplies to over eight States who have reported the high standard and reliability of their products.
“The present administration would not just buy and distribute drugs, we will make sure that the drugs procured are genuine and will not compound the health conditions of the people that need the drugs,” he asserted.
The State also revealed its plan to partner with the Association of Nigerian Professionals in the United States, under the umbrella of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Alumni to offer free medical services to the people of the State.
The free health mission which would involve general medical services, eye operations, minor surgeries among others, would be done in various medical institutions within the State.
Dr. Bello said further that the government was fully prepared to play its parts in the arrangement to ensure the number of people who would benefit exceed that of her neighboring States where the free healthcare service by the alumni has taken place.
“We hope that our people will benefit from the free medical services, in the previous years, the Association of Nigerian Professionals residing in the United State has attended to five thousand people, this time, we want them to start first in Oyo State and probably use a week for the operation.
“This is part of our plan to make healthcare delivery accessible, affordable and qualitative for our people.”
In his remark, Dr. Alaba Fawole of the OAU alumni said the purpose of the meeting was to see how to support Oyo State Government in its quest to improve the quality of healthcare delivery in the State .
Dr. Fawole admonished citizens to be conversant with health education to acquire optimum knowledge on health issues, as most diseases have preventive modalities .
“No cost is attached to the medical mission, this is what we are doing in terms of giving back to the nation, we can attend to One Thousand People within two days and patients will enjoy free medical services, dental procedures and lots more during the exercise,” he assured.
Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,
Hon. Commissioner,
Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,
Oyo State Government.
