By Rotimi Odofin
The Kogi State Government has inaugurated the Sustainable Supply System Steering Committee with the task of overseeing the activities of the State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency.
The ceremony was conducted by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, on behalf of the executive governor of the state.
During the inauguration, the Commissioner urged the committee members to uphold integrity and diligence in their roles, emphasizing that their appointments represent a significant commitment to serving the people of Kogi State.
Dr. Adeiza highlighted that the formation of the Sustainable Supply System Steering Committee reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration’s dedication to advancing and developing the state’s health sector. He noted that the administration has made substantial investments to prioritize health in its governance agenda.
The Commissioner further explained that the Integrated Sustainable Health Supply System Steering (ISHSS) Committee is essential for strengthening the governance structure of the agency. This committee will be chaired by the Commissioner for Health, with the Director of Pharmaceutical Services from the State Ministry of Health serving as Secretary. It will also include representatives from relevant agencies, boards, other ministries, and key stakeholders.
Additionally, the Integrated Sustainable Supply Health System Technical Committee will be led by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, comprising directors from pertinent health departments and other stakeholders, in accordance with national guidelines.
In her address, Pharm Ibrahim Salamat Onize, the Executive Secretary of the State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency, revealed that the Kogi State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency was established in 2019 by the previous administration under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello. She outlined the agency’s objectives, which include ensuring a consistent supply of quality drugs at affordable prices to all public health facilities, enhancing healthcare delivery systems, and improving patient health outcomes.
Pharm Onize emphasized that the inauguration of the Sustainable Supply Health System Steering and Technical Committees represents a significant milestone for the state’s health sector. She noted that the mandates and professional performance of these committees would greatly advance best practices in drug and medical supplies management both within the state and among other states in the Federation.
The Integrated Sustainable Health Supply System Steering (ISHSS) Committee will be chaired by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, with the Director of Pharmaceutical Services from the State Ministry of Health serving as Secretary. This committee will include representatives from relevant agencies, boards, other ministries, and stakeholders.
The Integrated Sustainable Supply Health System Technical Committee will be led by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, with membership comprising directors from relevant health departments and other stakeholders, in accordance with national guidelines.
The Chairman of Kogi State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Honorable Usman Ochidi( aka Powerful) enjoyed the committee members to uphold integrity and diligence in their roles in the committee and give their professional and optimum best in ensuring that the state government derives the best of their duties to the people of the state pledging total compliance and support of the Legislature to laws that would enhance the capacity quality and accessibility of healthcare services in the state.
Function of The Steering Committee:
1. Apex advisory body: providing guidance on drug management and usage in the state.
2. Policy Direction: Offering direction for ISHSS operations in the state
3. Monthly reporting: Receiving reports from the ISHSS technical state committee.
4. Quarterly review: Reviewing ISHSS Committee reports.
5. Sanctions: Imposing sanctions on erring drugs Revolving Fund scheme operators in line with the civil service rules.
6. Support: Providing necessary support for ISHSS Committees.
7. Updates: Providing updates on state DRF activities to the government.
The ISHSS Technical Committee’ s roles and responsibilities include:
1. Collaboration and Coordination: Working with relevant departments, local governments, and stakeholders.
2. Technical guidance: Providing guidance to DRF scheme operators.
3. Single supply chain system: Ensuring sustainability through integration and coordination.
4. Integration of DRF and non DRF commodities: Capturing and recording utilization on National Health Logistics Management Information System ( NHLMIS) data.
5. Monitoring and supervision: Conducting quarterly visits to zones and health facilities for compliance.
6. Sanctions: Recommending sanctions for erring DRF scheme operators.
7. Community Awareness: Raising awareness about the scheme to increase public facility utilization.
8. Periodic reviews: Supporting reviews, dissemination, printing, and distribution of policy documents.
9. Pharmacy unit: Ensuring functional pharmacy units in all health facilities.
10. Supervision: Supervising LGA DRF Committees .
11. Resource gaps: Identifying and addressing resource gaps at KSDMSMA and health facilities.
The members of both committees are:
ISHSS Steering Committee:
1. HCH SMOH… Chairman
2. PS SMOH……Member
3. CMD HMB ..Member
4. ES KSDMSMA..Member
5. ED SPHCDA. Member
6. ES KSHIA. Member
7. ED KOSACA Member
8. CMD CUSTECH-TH Member
9. CMD KSSH Member
10. DPS SMOH….Sec
11. Chairman House Committee on Health .. Member
12. CMD PAAUTH… member
13. Special Adviser on Health Member
ISHSS Technical Committee:
1. DPS SMOH…. Chairman
2. Head of Procurement KSDMSMA….Secr.
3. DPH SMOH…Member
4. DMST SMOH. Member
5. DMLS HMB..Member
6. D. Account HMB..Member
7. DPS HMB..Member
8. D. Account KSDMSMA..Member
9. DWL KSDMSMA..Member
10. D. Account SMOH Member
11. D. Pharmacy KSSH Member
12. D. Pharmacy CUSTECH-TH..
Member
13. D. Essential Medicine SPHCDA.. Members
14. DNS HMB…Member
15. D.Laboratory KSSH…Member
16. D. Laboratory CUSTECH-TH Member
17. D.N SMOH…Member
18. DPS KSHIA ..Member
19. LMCU Coordinator SMOH..Member
20. HEAD OF LEGAL UNIT, KSDMSMA .. Member
21. CHAIRMAN KOGI STATE TRADITIONAL RULERS COUNCIL..Member
22. A member representing the State Media Member.
23. A member representing CSO.
24. DMLS SMOH. Member
25. D. Pharmacy PAAUTH. Member
26. DQA KSDMSMA Member
27. DPRS KSDMSMA…Member.
28. DPRS SMOH
29. Head Legal unit.. KSDMSMA
30. Director Nutrition SMOH Member
