Kano Organizes Workshop to Review Drug Management Law

By Farouk Isa Musa 

To restrengthen the healthcare delivery, the Kano State government, through the Ministry of Health, has organized a 3-day workshop to review the law that established the Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA).

Delivering an opening remarks at the workshop, which took place from 16 to 18 November 2024 in Kaduna, the Commissioner Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Pharm. Aminu Bashir expressed the determination of the state government to make policies that will enhance the health sector.

Revisiting the history of the DMCSA, the Commissioner pointed out that an attempt was previously made to review the law, but the attempt was unsuccessful, stressing that Kano has been seen as a role model by many states across the country, especially in the health sector.

He then gave his assurance that the ministry would do everything possible to ensure the law under review has scaled through, hoping that the law, when reviewed, will bring in the desired changes in the ever-changing supply chain management.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman House Committee on Health and member representing Kura/ Garun Malam Hon Zakariyya Alasan Ishaq assured the participants, on behalf of the Speaker, of a speedy consideration of the DMCSA Law review, adding that the members of the Committee and the State House of Assembly in general are always ready to accent any legislation that will move the state forward.

On his part, the Director General Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency Pharm. Gali Sule spoke on the importance of the workshop, saying the main objective of the conference is to renew the DMCSA legal framework in order to align with the current global trend of manufacturing, procument, warehousing, and distribution of health commodities in the state.

The participants of the workshop, which was supported by the UK Government's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO-Lafiya program, include heads of agencies under the Ministry of Health, relevant stakeholders drawn from different government ministries departments and agencies (MDAs), private consultants, the academia, and legal luminaries.

Meanwhile, the members of the Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Health who attended the conference were Hon. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu), who represented Hon. Usman Abubakar Tasiu (Kiru) the committee's Vice Chairman, Hon. Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Hon. Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa) the Majority Whip, and Hon. Kabiru Dahiru Sule (Tarauni).