The government of Cross River State has received the first consignment of life-saving medicines from IDA Foundation at the State’s drugstore in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The development has added more impetus to the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) as well as the Drug Management Agency (DMA) initiatives of the government.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, who received the items described the action as a major progress in government’s plan to ensure that affordable, quality-assured drugs were accessible to all, especially the vulnerable.
Dr Ayuk stated that “the intervention is timely and revolutionary. Through the Drug Revolving Fund, we are now able to procure high-quality medications from international suppliers at drastically reduced rates—some costing less than ₦2,000 per dose compared to the ₦15,000 market price.”
He pointed out that the development was particularly significant for pregnant women who often suffer from postpartum hemorrhage due to lack of essential drugs or inability to afford them.
The Commissioner further hinted that a Drug Management Agency bill which is before the House of Assembly, when signed into law, would centralize and regulate drug procurement across public and private health facilities in the State to eliminate exploitation and ensure standardization in pricing and quality.
According to him, “with an initial government investment of ₦15 million for the current drug stock, the funds recovered through patient access would be reinvested to sustain availability, making the revolving fund truly regenerative.”
The Director General of the Cross River State Primary HealthCare Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Otu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Lucy Enakirerhi, commended the proactive health policy of the State, reaffirming that the intervention would drastically curb postpartum hemorrhage, which, according to the WHO, is the leading cause of maternal mortality after child delivery.
While speaking, the IDA Country Representative, Mr Nwaebiem Nwadinobi acknowledged the commitment of the State Health ministry to critical health matters, stressing IDA Foundation’s continued support to ensure effective rollout and monitoring of the initiative.
“What we are starting here is not just a supply drop, it is a movement. We are working with a team (in Cross River) that understands the urgency and the impact. From our end, we’ll keep providing support, training, and follow-up to ensure the success of this model in the State.”
The quality-assured drugs delivered include 5,600 ampoules of Carbetocin injection; 1,900 ampoules of Tranexamic acid injection; and 1,634 calibrated drapes for measuring postpartum bleeding.
Source: Monday Mba, FRCN Calabar
