The Kano State Ministry of Health, through the State Sustainable Health Commodity Supply System Committee (SHCSS-C), has on Saturday commenced a three-day workshop to review Kano State Essential Medicine List (EML) Review.
The event, which was organized with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Lafiya Programme, brings together key stakeholders from across the health sector, including, clinicians, pharmacists, public health experts, regulatory agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations.
The objective of the meeting, which is taking place at the Pyramid Hotel, Kaduna, is to review and update the Kano State Essential Medicine List to ensure it aligns with current disease burden, treatment guidelines, and global best practices, while responding to the specific health needs of the people of the state.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf highlighted that access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines remains a cornerstone of the state’s healthcare delivery system. He noted that the review of the Essential Medicine List is critical to strengthening rational medicine use, improving procurement efficiency, and enhancing service delivery across all levels of care.
“The review process will ensure that Kano State’s Essential Medicine List remains evidence-based, cost-effective, and responsive to emerging health challenges, including non-communicable diseases and public health emergencies,” the Commissioner stated.
Dr. Labaran urged the participants to carefully review the essential medicine list with a view to contribute their quota in transforming the health sector in the state. He further expressed appreciation to the FCDO Lafiya Programme and all stakeholders for their collaboration and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for the people of Kano State.
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In his submission, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Pharm. Aminu Bashir, who spoke extensively on resilience of supply chain management in Kano State, noted the review of essential medicine list is a first step in the supply chain journey.
The Permanent Secretary also spoke in details on how the Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) was revived form an inherited moribund status and huge indebtedness, and how the leadership of the Agency, headed by the Director General Pharm. Gali Sule, recorded tremendous achievements.
In his welcome address, the Director Pharmaceutical Services at the State Ministry of Health Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu said the meeting is a concerted effort by the ministry to review the essential medicine list.
Describing the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, as a proactive, Pharm. Salisu, who is also the Chairman of SSHCSS-C, disclosed that it is mandatory for all states of the federation to review their EML whenever the Federal Ministry of Health did so, hence the reason why the Kano State organized the meeting.
He expressed optimism that the EML will be thoroughly evaluated and reviewed due to the composition and expertise of the participants.
In their separate goodwill messages, the State Team Leads of UK-FCDO Lafiya Programme Abdulkadir Salisu Kabara and his counterpart of Capacity for Sustainable Development (C4SD) Pharm. Amos Gwazalyen, as well as representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Kano State in strengthening health systems, particularly in areas of governance, financing, and access to essential health commodities. They emphasized that an updated Essential Medicine List will support improved planning, budgeting, and availability of life-saving medicines in public health facilities.
Over the three days, participants will review existing medicines, assess new therapeutic options, consider national and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and agree on priority medicines for inclusion. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to guide procurement, distribution, and rational use of medicines across Kano State health facilities.
Signed:
Farouk Isa Musa,
PRO, DMCSA