– Says Adeyeye, Shuaib, Others, will grace the event
In line with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) directives for all Pharmacy practitioners in Nigeria, and as part of efforts at breaching the gap in human resources in the health sector, the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) in collaboration with the National Primary Health care Development Agency is set to train no fewer than 200 community pharmacists on COVID-19 vaccination and routine immunization.
The National Chairman of the Association, Pharm. Adewale Aderemi Oladigbolu, stated this during a press conference to herald the 41st Annual Scientific Conference of the Association tagged “AJUMOSE EKO 2022”, which is scheduled to hold between 25 to 29 of July 2022, at Festival Hotel, Festac, Lagos State.
The ACPN boss noted that the annual national scientific conference is the association’s most outstanding gathering in any given year, adding that it is a unique opportunity for practitioners to deliberate on contemporary issues affecting the practice of Pharmacy and matters related to the health and well-being of Nigerians.
Speaking further, the number one community pharmacist in the country noted that this year’s theme, ”Never Waste a Crisis: Community Pharmacists Learning For Future Preparedness”, is apt, pointing out that the theme is a reflection of the COVID-19 global crisis which led to the death of more than 15 million people globally.
According to him, the Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Faisal Shuaib, will be the keynote speaker at the event, while the Chairman of the Opening Ceremony is Pharm. (Hon) Gboluga Dele Ikengboju, member, House of Representative, representing Okiti Pupa/ Irele Federal Constituency, Ondo State.
“Part of the enlisted agenda for this epoch-making event is the Mandatory Continuing Development Programme (MCPD) as stipulated by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) for all Pharmacy Practitioners in Nigeria.
” About 200 hundred community pharmacists will be trained for vaccination at the event. Our country needs more health resources, and community pharmacists are available to close that gap. Currently, about 100 pharmacists are administering COVID-19 vaccination nationwide out of 6,530 willing and able community pharmacists.
“The National Health Insurance Act is now at the implementation stage and we as Community pharmacists cannot shy away from our responsibilities of care to Nigerians in guaranteeing the totality of care. The health of Nigerians cannot be said to be guaranteed without the input of pharmacists. We shall be deliberating on the National Health Insurance System in one of our sessions” he said.
He further stated that Pharmacy practice is a scientific endeavour with a huge commercial window, hence the association will leave no stone unturned in guaranteeing the financial health of the practice of its members, adding that the ACPN was partnering with Polaris Bank and Leadway insurance in crafting a workshop titled financial intelligence for community pharmacists, adding that healthy community pharmacists would doubtlessly ensure a better healthcare system in Nigeria.
Also speaking on the upcoming conference and its expectations, the duo of Pharm. (Chief) Ogunlade Olaitan, CPC vice-chairman, Eko 2022, and Pharm. Tolu Ajayi, LOC chairman, assured participants that the conference, which will be the 41st anniversary celebration of the association, is going to be a conference like no other in the annals of pharmaceutical conferences in Nigeria.
Prominent Nigerians like Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor, Borno State; Dr Faisal Shuiab, executive director, NPHCDA, and Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye are expected at the conference.
The President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Prof. Cyril Odianose Usifoh, Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed is also expected at the ACPN conference.
