An NGO, Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development (SFPD), has donated drugs and consumables worth N1.7 billion for improving healthcare delivery in Sokoto and Kebbi, respectively.
Handing over the items to the state governments on Thursday, SFPD Coordinator and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Mera, described the gesture as a landmark achievement aimed at enhancing people’s lives, especially the less privileged persons.
Mera said the Foundation is a non-profit and non-governmental organization under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, striving to uplift people’s lives in different sectors.
” The medicines and medical supplies are to complement the efforts of Sokoto and Kebbi States Ministries of Health on Healthcare delivery especially for women and children.
” The gesture was received from MAP International, a US-based Global Health Organization donating lifesaving medicine and health supplies to underserved communities around the world.
” It was facilitated by Mr. Aminu Yaro, a Nigerian, and Nell Diallo, who was a Senegalese with financial support from the Reed Foundation, ” Mera said.
The Coordinator appreciated the Federal Government of Nigeria for waiving customs duties worth N254 million to facilitate the import of the donated commodities into the country.
He further urged the states to distribute the medicines and supplies to hospitals and clinics for the benefit of deserving patients and other beneficiaries in the state.
He expressed optimism that their management would ensure judicious use of the items, noting that more states are expected to benefit Soko. The present gesture was the first phase of the lineup programme.
Responding on behalf of the Sokoto State Government, Mr Umar Attahiru, the Director General of Sokoto State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency (DMSMA), expressed appreciation to the foundation, saying that it would surely augment government efforts.
He commended good leadership of Sultan Abubakar that had attracted such giant efforts and assured proper use of the items to intended populace.
The Kebbi State Government representative and the Permanent Secretary in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Shehu Nuhu, said the drugs and consumables are essential needs to the population.
Nuhu said it would yield positive impacts on the lives of the citizens, stressing that the consignment contained relevant medicines that are periodically needed, especially among pregnant women and children across the states.
The newsmen reports that the ceremony was witnessed by the Galadiman Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Attahiru Aliyu-Galadanchi, Malam Muhammad Lawal Maidoki Sadaukin Sokoto, the Chairman of Sokoto State Zakkat and Waqaf Commission and Malam Aminu Inuwa Muhammad Director Programmes of the Sultan Foundation amongst others.
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