-As NAFTraPh holds 6th Annual International Conference
The Chairman, MTN Foundation Nigeria and Juli Pharmacy PLC, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi has called on Nigerian foreign trained pharmacists to explore the globe and ensure that their impact is felt in lifting the nation’s health sector, the pharmacy profession and the Nigerian economy at large.
He also charged all pharmacists in Nigeria and diaspora to be creative and also be of good character. Adelusi-Adeluyi who is the former minister of health gave the charge at the 6th Annual International Conference of the Nigerian Association of Foreign Trained pharmacists (NAFTraPh).
The theme of the conference was “Integrated Healthcare and Public Health Systems in the Era of Socio-Economic Crisis: How to Improve Populations’ Health Outcomes”. While speaking at the conference in Lagos recently, Adelusi-Adeluyi who was the chairman of the occasion commended the leadership of the association for selecting the theme.
He said there is a socio economic crisis currently, not only in Nigeria but across the globe. He added that the Nigeria environment is currently socially, spiritually, politically and economically toxic, which has led to hunger, stress, anger and insecurity. He said all these have led to stress, which is now an emergency for health teams.
He noted that several millions of people today are facing the problem of mental health. The theme for the 2024 World Mental Health Day, which was held on 10 October is “coping with mental health in the work place”. He therefore commended the association for picking a theme that addresses the social-economic crisis in its conference. He urged health teams to find a way to deal with the current socio-economic crisis.
According to him, the role of the diaspora in Nigeria is now very central. “We need to find a way in which the impact of the diaspora can be further harnessed to strengthen the remittances, not just at the family level but also on the foreign direct investment in other to encourage entrepreneur endeavours that can facilitate trade, and improve community development with the sales of service, which include the need to share and to care”.
He also urged the association to pay attention to youth matters, by accommodating them into the system. He said “the world is doing something about the youths, the pharmacy profession must be among those who engage in laudable programmes for the youths”.
According to the octogenarian, the Nigeria environment today is not a friendly one and one may have to be insane in such an environment before one can be sane. He said, “as pharmacists, we need to stay together and take note of certain things, if you want to participate in improving the environment tangibly, we must, as professionals, address ourselves to kindness.
“In your little space/environment, be kind, be gentle, be generous, be caring, be compassionate, and be humble, because anybody that is humble will not tumble. Stay humble and be honourable; stay intelligent and be up to date. Be bold to take calculated steps because there lies an interesting experiences.”
While speaking at the event, the keynote speaker, Dr Joachim Okafor said to improve populations’ health outcomes in Nigeria requires combined effort of all players in the health sector, that include the doctor, pharmacists, nurses, among others, as well as the government. He said all stakeholders must do what they are supposed to do at the right time.
He added that just like football teams, all players in the health sector must be coordinated and communicate with each other to be able to score a goal, which is the wellbeing of the patients. He however said Nigeria must provide innovative ways to fund healthcare if the nation must have a viable integrated healthcare system; adding that health insurance is an answer to funding of robust healthcare.
He added that Nigeria must adopt a digital electronic medical record system in the healthcare system, adding that integrated healthcare systems should also be introduced in university curriculums.
In his presentation, titled “Medication Safety and Prudent Utilisation: What Policy Makers and Healthcare Professionals Need to Know”; a John Hopkins Community Physician, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Dr Terrance Baker pointed out that the proliferation of fake drugs in Nigeria and the entire Africa continent can no longer be ignored.
He called on pharmacists and other healthcare workers in Nigeria to go the extra mile in saving lives, saying that their principal role is to save lives. He also harped on the need to institutionalise health insurance, saying the scheme will help the nation’s health outcome.
The Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm Tolulope Ajayi in his presentation at the event charged all pharmacists in Nigeria and diaspora to prioritise learning, noting that learning is for a lifetime.
On her part, the CEO, Africa Resources Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management, Pharm. Azuka Okeke calls for adoption of the pool procurement model to generate demand and a large volume of commodities for production. She noted that there is a gap in demand and supply of essential medicine in the country. She therefore calls for increased investment in local pharma manufacturing in the country.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the association, Dr John C. Ejezie noted that though the socio- economic conditions in Nigeria have adversely affected the programme of the association, he expressed optimism that the association is coming out stronger.
“NAFTRaPhcares has continued to provide pertinent health information with daily health tips and updates, evidence based practice guidelines, job and scholarship application process, to mention but few. We are navigating through this new terrain with excitement and we will continue to break through new frontiers of knowledge,” Dr Ejezie said.
The high point of the event was the introduction of the NAFTraPh Fellowship Programme as well as the presentation of awards to those who have served the association selflessly. NAFTraPh also signed an MOU with the Africa Resources Centre for Excellence in Supply Chain Management and the MOU will be of mutual benefit to both parties.
“We will continue to promote community service, health education, form new alliances and partnerships, and strengthen scholarship activities,” Dr Ejezie vowed.
