The Kwara State government in central Nigeria has expressed its readiness to provide modern equipment for general hospitals and specialist hospitals in the state to meet international standard.

At the award of Excellence by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Kwara State Branch, the Commissioner for Health, Kayode Issa said the plan was to further improve the health status of the people.

Renovation of Hospitals
“The ongoing renovation of five General Hospitals across the state by the present administration and the just commissioned Kwara Advance diagnosis centre with modern equipment, ranked the state and Nigeria the first of its kind in West Africa,” Issa said.

Commitment to Health
He says, “the state government is also committed to the immunization plus days and the reduction of maternal mortality. A lot of roll back malaria drugs were distributed to various Hospitals in the last two week towards improving the health status of the people.”

Issa commended the state branch of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria for providing good pharmaceutical care to the people, urging those honoured to see the award as a challenge to do more.

The State Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr Mojeed Oderinde said “the award of Excellence was meant to recognize and encourage professionalism as well as celebrating the captains in the industry who had contributed positively to the well being of the larger society.”

He urged those honoured not to relent in their selfless service to humanity.

Quality healthcare service
Mr Oderinde stressed the need for all local governments in the state, to employ at least a pharmacist to "ensure quality healthcare service to the citizenry" noting that their services cannot be over emphasized.

The Wife of the state governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed was among the awardees.