Chairman Kano NUJ Condoles With DG DMCSA

By Farouk Isa Musa 

The Chairman National Union of Journalists, Kano State Council, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, has paid a condolence visit to Director-General Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, Pharm. Gali Sule over the death of his mother, Hajiya Safiya Sule.

Symphatizing with Pharm. Gali Sule, the Chairman described Hajiya Safiya's death as a huge, irreparable loss, not only to her family but to the entire Muslim ummah.

This was contained in a statement issued by Farouk Isa Musa, Public Relations Officer of Kano State DMCSA and made available to journalists.

Ibrahim prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for her family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Hajiya Safiya died on Monday, at the age of 80, after a brief illness. She left behind 8 children and  48 grandchildren. Among her children are Isma'il Usman Abdullahi and Bashir Usman Abdullahi all of Nigeria Customs Service.

DG Visits Commissioner Public Procurement, Seeks for Collaboration

By Farouk Musa Isa 

In his effort to make sure all government's business and engagements are conducted according to the laiddown rules and regulations, the Director General Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, Pharmacist Gali Sule has solicited for the support from the state Ministry of Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring, and Evaluation in following due process while executing official engagements for the sake of transparency and accountability.

The Director General made the request when he paid an official visit to the Commissioner of the ministry, Honorable Ibrahim Namadi Dala, in his office, Friday.

Explaining further, Pharm. Sule said that as an agency that makes procuments through tender bids, the management of DMCS sees the need for partnership between the two government institutions.

"We are here today to seek guidance from the Ministry of Public Procurement, especially in the area of procument law. We want to make sure all our procuments are done according to stipulated laws of demand. and are tallied with all laid down rules and regulations," he stressed.

Speaking on the history, mandates, challenges, and successes recorded by the agency, the DG said the core mandates of the DMCSA are to source, to procure, to store, and distribute qualitative drugs and medical consumables to healthcare facilities across the state, adding that such drugs and consumables must be available, affordable, and accessible to all.

Pharm. Sule thanked the Commissioner and his entire management for their hospitality.

In his remarks, the Commissioner, who was represented by Engr. Garba Adamu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, has assured the Director General of his support and cooperation. 

In his contribution, Pharmacist Tukur Ibrahim, the Director Drugs and Supply, said a collaboration between DMCSA and the ministry will undoubtedly improve the quality of healthcare delivery, and generally strengthen the health sector in the state

One-Year Anverssary: KANO DMCSA CELEBRATES GOV YUSUF'S ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE AGENCY

Press Statement 

18/7/2024

The management of Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, led by the Director-General of the Agency Pharmacist Gali Sule, has organized a gigantic ceremony, Thursday, to celebrate the notable achievements of Kano government in the area of drug supply to health facilities across the state.

The ceremony was part of a series of activities organized to celebrate the DG's clocking of one year in office, as he was appointed to the position on 16th July 2023. The day's activities, however, were kicked off by Qur'anic recitations and prayer conducted by some powerful and respected clerics at DMCSA mosque.

The main occasion, which was chaired by the Commissioner State Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf was graced by all crème de la crème from the health sector, including heads of agencies, their management staff, members of professional organizations, regulatory agencies, drug manufacturers and suppliers, development partners, among others.

While speaking, the Commissioner issued a directive to the leadership of all government-owned healthcare facilities in the state to make sure they purchase the drugs and medical consumables from DMCSA due to the quality and affordability of the commodities there, warning that appropriate measures will be used to sanction the defaulters.

Dr. Yusuf commended Pharm. Sule for his exampilary leadership and the virtues of trust, transparency, and accountability, stressing that with people such as Gali at helm of affairs of a very sensitive and important agency like the DMCSA, he sleeps with his two eyes closed.

In his address, the DG humbly attributed all the tremendous successes recorded at the organization to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, noting that without the support and cooperation of the Governor, what was achieved would be unattainable.

He commended the governor for what he called "mass-oriented policies, projects, programs and initiatives," which are aimed at uplifting the standard of living of the common man.

Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, Director Drugs and Supply at DMCSA, spoke extensively on the major successes recorded in the period under review, disclosing that the healthcare facility coverage has risen from the initial 78 percent to over 95 percent. The quality of the drugs has also been increased, as the Agency is procuring and supplying the facilities with high-quality, registered drugs and consumables that are affordable and accessible to teeming population.

The Director further added that the state government, in collaboration with the federal government and the UNICEF/ Global Fund, has built a modern, wold-standard pharmagrade warehouse for proper storage of health commodities.

Moreover, some 60 percent of inherited debts accumulated from the previous administration were settled, while the 

stores and offices are largely renovated to provide a conducive atmosphere for the staff and business associates to enhance service delivery, he concluded.

During the function, some of the staff who excelled at their respective work, both among the junior and senior cadres, from all departments and four zonal stores, were carefully selected and rewarded, with a view to appreciate and motivate them in particular, and all staff in general.

Some of the beneficiaries from private organizations and government agencies who benefited from donations and corporate social responsibility, courtesy of the DG, have commended him for his empathy and support.

Among the heads of agencies who spoke at the function are the Executive Secretary Hospital Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda; Executive Secretary Kano State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme Management Agency, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar; among others.

Signed:

Farouk I. Musa

PRO, DMCSA

How Pharm. Gali Sule Transforms Kano Drug Agency in One Year

By Farouk I. Musa

When he was appointed as the Director-General of Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency by His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on July 17, 2024, Pharm. Gali Sule found the organization in a very deplorable condition.

Challenges

First of all, the DG took over the mantle of leadership of the Agency that was heavily indebted by suppliers. He inherited the accumulated debts left by the previous administration up to the tune of N1.2 billion.

Apart from the debt, most of the infrastructure at DMCSA were decayed -- the stores were in dire need of general renovation, offices need facelift and furniture, and the complex of the Agency's need to be paved and provided with enough light for security purpose during the night hours.

Thirdly, with a mere 30 percent, the number of healthcare facilities in the state that were enrolled for the DRF (Drug Revolving Fund) scheme was very low and unimpressive as well.

Another challenge that bedeviled the Agency when Pharm. Gali Sule assumed office was a dearth of vital equipment necessary for drug testing at a quality control laboratory located at Drug Manufacturing Unit (DMU) of the Agency.

With these major challenges and other less pressing issues, Pharm. Sule began piloting the affairs of DMCSA as its captain, navigating his way with the sole aim to take it to Promise Land."

The Success Story

To start with, at the beginning of his reign, the DG, with the help and support of his management team, resolved to settle the inherited debt over a period of time.

With this determination, however. in one year, over 60 percent of the total debts of N1.2 billion, inherited from the previous administration, were paid.

Another milestone recorded is the substantial increase in the availability of drugs and medical consumables at health facilities throughout the state.

That success, however, is not limited to the availability of the drugs, but the quality, as the Agency is procuring and supplying healthcare centers with high-quality, registered drugs and medical consumables that are affordable to the patients.

Additionally, due to Pharm. Gali's hard work and commitment, the number of public healthcare facilities, both primary, secondary, and tertiary, covered by the Agency, has significantly risen from 78% to over 95%.

Five: Kano State Government, together with the Federal Government and UNICEF, constructed a world standard PharmaGrade Warehouse, which will be commissioned soon.

In the same vein, the stores at the Agency were totally refurbished, as financed by Medicines San Frontiers (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Border.

Seven: To ensure the quality of drugs, the laboratory has been upgraded to the standard level by providing the needed equipment for necessary tests.

Lastly, for more prudent and accountability in the Agencies’ operations, some utilities were installed, including solar street light within the premises of the Agency, the installation of CCTV cameras in all the stores and the complex of the Agency, and also a solar system lighting was installed in all the 4 zonal warehouses of Dambatta, Gwarzo, Gaya, and Rano.

State DMA's Best Source For Qualitative, Affordable Drugs

By Farouk Isa Musa 

The federal government has recognized drug management agencies (DMAs) owned by the state governments as the most appropriate facilities to get the best health commodities across the country.

This was made known by the Director-General Kano State DMCSA Pharm. Gali Sule, Tuesday, when he received members of Kano State-Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM) in his office, who paid him an advocacy visit.

Pharm. Sule stressed that the federal government has come to terms that the DMAs are the only place where healthcare facilities are getting their supplies of commodities that are qualitative, available, affordable, and accessible to the populace.

As a result of the realization of the importance of DMAs, the federal government is now working hard to make sure all states have established the said agencies, and ensure they are operated according to the laid down rules and regulations, revealing that 22 sates so far have established their own.

Speaking on the history, mandate, and success recorded at Kano state DMCSA under his leadership, the DG drawed similarity between DMCSA and KanSLAM, emphasizing that his agency and the organization are working for the same goal of improving the health sector in order to get a healthy society.

Pharm. Sule further disclosed that KN State Ministry of Health , under the Commissioner Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf and all the agencies under the ministry are working towards achieving the said objectives in their different capabilities.

He finally commended the Kano state government, especially Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf , for allocating over 16 percent of the state's budget to health sector, which is above the stipulated amount required by the Abuja Declaration, which requires allocating of 15 percent of the budgets of all state governments.

Speaking ealier, the Co-Chairman of KanSLAM, Nafisa Murtala said they were at the DG's office, as one of the top government officials in the state from the health sector, to seek his support, especially in regard to decision-making around women health.

She said KanSLAM is supporting the Kano government on human development, specifically on the health matters, through advocating for the improvement of women and children health in the state.

The co-chair called on the government to increase the budgetary allocation to the health sector to ensure that there are quality healthcare services so as to reduce maternal and child mortality.

Be Productive, Self-Reliant, DG DMCSA Tasks Unemployed Graduates

By Farouk Isa Musa 

Youths in the state, especially those who graduated from tertiary institutions, have been called upon to learn necessary skills for various occupations so as to be self-reliant.

Pharm. Gali Sule, the Director-General Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, made the call while speaking at a 10-Year Anniversary of Kano Science Schools Old Students Association (KASSOSA), Class 2014 Dawakin Kudu Chapter, which took place at Sani Bello Science College in Dawakin Kudu town.

Pharm. Sule said that due to the current economic downturn in the country, it will be beneficial for the graduates to possess the needed craft and dexterity and subsequently engage themselves in various occupations, including but not limited to trade, entrepreneurship, and artisanry.

He lamented that the paid jobs are hard to come by as factories are shutting down, and multinational companies and business entities are exiting the country on a daily basis, adding that the situation was not like this before, citing an example where graduates in some professions, such as doctors and teachers, are automatically employed immediately they graduate. But, due to certain factors, according to him, the situation has dramatically changed throughout the country. 

The DG stressed that to pacify the grim situation, Kano state government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has introduced several programs and initiatives, such as empowerment programs for youths and women, and reopening and renovating moribond skill acquisition centers across the state. But the government alone can not employ all jobseekers, especially Kano being the most populous state in Nigeria, he said.

Pharm. Sule commended the KASSOSA national body, headed by Alh. Balarabe Nuhu Jallah, its National President, for organizing training for unemployed members on skill acquisition and empowerment. He then urged other class chapters to emulate the national body.

However, it was revealed at the event that only 30 percent of members of KASSOSA Class 2014 Dawakin Kudu Chapter were engaged by the governments as civil servants.

Abubakar Idris Yarima, the Chairman of KASSOSA Class 2014, thanked the invited guests who graced the occasion despite their tight schedules.

Kano DMCSA Donates Drugs Worth N1.2M to Science Schools

By Farouk Isa Musa 

To complement the efforts of the state government to improve the education sector, the management of Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency has donated drugs and other consumables to the national executive council of Kano State Science Secondary Schools Old Students Association (KASSOSA) for onward distribution to science schools.

Presenting the donation, the Director General DMCSA, Pharm. Gali Sule said his agency gave the donation in order to contribute its quota in improving the education sector, taking into cognizance of laudable policies and initiatives of present administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which are geared towards total overhaul of education in the state.

Pharm.Sule pointed out that the donation would serve as first aid to the students before they were taken to hospitals when they fell ill. He said that the drugs and consumables donated include anti-malaria, pain killers, stomach pain relievers, injections, and syringes.

As a former national president of KASSOSA, the DG called on the beneficiary schools to judiciously use the medicine for the betterment of their students.

He charged the leadership of the association to intensify their efforts for soliciting donations and contributions from agencies, organizations, and wealthy individuals in order to support education in the state..

Receiving the donation on behalf of KASSOSA, the National President of the association, Alh. Balarabe Nuhu Jallah revealed that this is the major donation the association ever received.

He said the donation is timely, lamenting the lack of first aid drugs at science schools, adding that sick students can be taken back home due to lack of a simple drug like paracetamol.

The President stressed that the drugs will be distributed to all 17 science secondary schools in both Kano and Jigawa states, adding that it will go a long way in safeguarding the students.

Jallah lauded Pharm. Gali Sule for his zeal and commitment to take the state to greater heights.

Mal. Habibu Ahmadu, an Ex-Officio of the association, thanked the Director General for the donation.

DMU Implementation Committee Submits Report

By Farouk Isa Musa 

The Director-General Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, Pharm Gali Sule has today, 4th July 2024, received in his office a progress report on the activity of the Drug Manufacturing Unit (DMU) Implementation Committee.

The Committee is saddled with the responsibility of charting a way forward concerning the remodeling of the existing DMU at DMCSA, as well as overseeing the reconstruction project of the new DMU located in Madobi Local Government Area.

Receiving the monthly report for June, the DG said, when the work is completed, the facility will be used by students for learning and research, in addition to its primary purpose of production of medicine.

He also commended the members of the committee for what he described as "a job well done," assuring them of full support and cooperation of the Management of the Agency.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee Pharm. Nasir Rikadawa, who was represented by Pharm. Abdul'aziz Hamisu pledged that the committee would keep the Management up-to-date concerning the activities of the Committee.

In her contribution, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Magashi, Director Admin and General Services, charged members of the Committee to be up and doing and make sure the projects have been made into reality.

Kano DMCSA Staff Receive Meat, Cash Gift Worth N9.2M as Sallah Welfare

By Farouk Isa Musa 

To improve the welfare of its staff, the Management of Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, under the leadership of Pharm. Gali Sule, the Director-General of the Agency, has spent 9.26 million Naira during the just concluded Eid-el-Kabir as Sallah gesture to members of staff.

This was disclosed by Pharm. Aminu Datti, the Chairman of the Welfare Committee, while presenting the committee's report to the DG in his office.

According to the chairman of the committee, five cows were purchased, and the meat was shared among all the staff of the Agency, including those working at zonal offices In addition to that, cash incentives were given to support the staff for successful Sallah festivities.

Pharm. Datti further added that the gesture was disbursed to motivate the staff in order to improve their performance at work.

"This is the first time in the history of DMCSA when members of staff were given both monetary gifts and meats as a form of motivation," he observed.

In his remarks, Pharm. Gali Sule said, "The essence of the gesture was to promote the welfare of the staff and other relevant stakeholders supporting the Agency, especially during this important religious activity."

He said the initiative is in line with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf principles of helping the needy and downtrodden, as the state government is working round the clock to improve the general welfare of the residents

"His Excellency the Executive Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf is always directing all the political appointees in the state to be compassionate and sympathetic towards masses in order to ease their suffering, notably during this hard economy. We are emulating the virtues of His Excellency, that's why we came up with this initiative," the DG explained.

In her part, the Director Admin and General Services, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar Magashi, commended members of the committee for their dedication and determination, urging them to redouble their efforts for maximum result.