YODMA Management Team Pays Advocacy Visit To Emir of Ngazargamu

YODMA Management Team Pays Advocacy Visit To Emir of Ngazargamu

YODMA Management Team Pays Advocacy Visit To Emir of Ngazargamu

By Ibraheem El-Tafseer 

...Emir Calls For Collaborative Efforts, Synergy and Integration with the Federal Government and Development Partners To Check the menace of Fake and Substandard Drugs in the State

The management team of Yobe State Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency (YODMA) led by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Pharmacist Abdul-Aziz Garba Mohammed on Wednesday, the 22nd of May 2024 paid an Advocacy Visit to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ngazargamu, Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh at his Palace in Geidam town. The visit is part of efforts by the agency to seek for traditional institution's support in carrying out its operations across the state. 

In a statement issued by Suleiman Gambo Yusuf Bakoro, YODMA Information and Public Relations Officer, said that, the goals and objectives of the agency, the Executive Secretary informed the Emir that the agency which was established on 31st December 2019 by the present administration of Governor Mai Mala Buni is responsible for the regulation, coordination,  procurement and manufacture of drugs, laboratory reagents, medical consumables and other health products in line with the health policy agenda of Governor Mai Mala Buni-led administration in the state. He also said that the agency has one ultra modern central medical warehouse in Damaturu the state capital and three others in Potiskum, Gashu'a and Nguru towns respectively. He also added that plans are under way for the construction of one additional modern pharma grade warehouse in Gaidam town by the Yobe state government. Pharmacist Abdul-Aziz stated that both public and private health facilities in the state do patronize the YODMA medical warehouses close to their various locations to purchase drugs, medical consumables and other health products. 

The executive secretary emphasized on the importance of traditional institutions in promoting health care services and commended the fatherly role that traditional leaders play in educating and enlightening their people on the importance of health in their Emirates. The YODMA Executive Secretary also used the medium to seek for the Emir's support and that of his Emirate in the activities of the agency especially now that the agency through the state government plans to construct a modern

pharma grade warehouse in Gaidam town following the return of peace to the area. 

In his remarks, the Emir of Ngazargamu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh thanked Governor Mai Mala Buni for the establishment of YODMA and called for more support from development partners and donor agencies for the growth and development of the Yobe health sector. The Emir advised the YODMA management team to consider the state first in their official conduct and that they should be passionate and develop the spirit of patriotism in delivering their mandate as entrusted to them by the state governor.

The Emir stressed the need for integration, synergy and collaboration between the state government, federal government and development partners in the state in curbing the menace of fake and substandard drugs in the state and country at large. "The issue of proliferation of fake and substandard drugs through the country's borders is alarming and disturbing. All hands must be on deck to bring to an end the problem of fake and substandard drugs not only in the state, but in the entire country at large for the betterment of our dear people", the Emir stated. 

Highlights of the event is the presentation of YODMA operational guidelines and other vital documents on the operations and activities of the agency to the Emir by the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Pharmacist Abdul-Aziz Garba Mohammed.