The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has approved Consultant Pharmacist Cadre to Level 17, for pharmacists in the state, as he charged them to embrace excellence service delivery through technological innovation.
The Governor who assured pharmacists that the workers’ friendly Governor of Ondo State will look into other requests put before him by the pharmacists, urged them to strive for excellence and shun unconventional ways of healthcare delivery in their practices.
Mr Akeredolu, as he is fondly called while speaking during the opening ceremony of this year’s Ondo State PSN Pharmacy Week, themed: “Pharmacy: From generation to generation”, held at the Pharmacy House Alagbaka Akure, Ondo State, commended the Ondo State PSN, under the leadership of Pharm. Eniola Akindeko, for their giant strides since assumption of office.
The Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Health, Prof. Francis Faduyile, added that the choice of the first female pharmacist as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health has demonstrated that pharmacists have what it takes to lead, stressing that Pharm. Foluke Aladenola, is a good ambassador of the Pharmacy profession.
He however, tasked all healthcare professionals in the country to ensure harmonious working relationship exists among them, saying unhealthy rivalry will lead the healthcare sector to nowhere.
While speaking, Pharm. Aladenola, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, commended the governor for breaking the jinx by appointing the first female pharmacist as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, setting up a Task Force on Counterfeit Drugs, saying Ondo State has set the pace for other states of the federation to follow.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, Senator Bode Olajumoke, who was represented by Mr Femi Oshati commended the giant strides of PSN for supporting and raising funds for the building of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, while tasking well-to-do sons and daughters of the state to support the project.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of PSN in Ondo State, Pharm Akindeko, said the annual event was a celebration of the relentless contributions of pharmacists towards the upliftment of their noble profession despite the current challenges of the country.
He further reiterated the need for every member of the society and partners of PSN to support the building of the Olu Akinkugbe Faculty of Pharmacy, saying it is a legacy project close to their hearts.
” Our Legacy Project, to support the establishment of the Faculty of Pharmacy, embodies our commitment to giving back to the community we passionately serve. Ondo State despite its rich heritage and vibrant communities had been without a College of Pharmacy until now”.
Reeling out his laudable contributions and achievements in the last two and half years of holding sway as the Chairman, Akindeko said Ondo PSN has procured a 45KV generating set and embarked on the commercialisation of the Pharmacy House to augment the revenue of the society, among many other achievements.
He added that they fostered collaborations with governmental and non-governmental agencies aiming to enhance fruitful relationships, and prioritised professional development through lectures and various initiatives.
In his lecture, the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Abiodun Ogundaini, pioneer dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, UNIMED, charged pharmacists to upgrade themselves to the technology reality of today if they want to be relevant in providing quality service to their patients.
Prof. Ogundaini said in spite of the benefits of digital and online Pharmacy, quacks and unprofessional should not be allowed to take over the industry, saying it must strictly be operated by qualified pharmacists.
