AHAPN Warns of Rising COVID-19 Cases

• Says it lost 12 pharmacists

Pharmacists in the country on Tuesday raised the alarm on rising wave of COVID-19 in the country, pleading with Nigerians to observe the laid down protection protocols spelt out by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC.)

President of the of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSC), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa noted that the daily increase of deaths from the Delta variant of COVID-19 pandemic was alarming to the nation.

Speaking in Ilorin at the 22nd Annual Scientific Conference of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Ohuabunwa urged Nigerians to curb the spread of the pandemic by adhering to the prevention measures by wearing face masks, hand washing and obeying social distancing.

The theme of the conference is ‘advancing technological revolution in pharmaceutical service delivery.’

PSN President said: “We have seen the increase in the number of infections; we have seen the increase in the number of deaths. So it cannot be a lie. People are so disbelieving and I don’t know why, but
COVID-19 is real. Nigerians should not allow what is happening in Senegal to happen to us. Senegal is closer to us here. It is not Europe neither is it Brazil.

“If it can get to Senegal and devastate the place, it can get here. About 98 percent of their hospitals is occupied then Nigeria is not very far. Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu just said it
yesterday that six people died in 24 hours which hasn’t happened for a long time. So Nigerians had to be careful by observing of the protocols.”

National Chairman of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Dr Kingsley Amibor pleaded with Nigerians to continue to observe the prevention protocols on COVID-19 put together by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) especially wearing of face masks, hand washing and observing social distancing.

Amibor who said that the Association could not hold it annual conference last year said, “Just when we were about to heave a sigh of relief that the pandemic was receding, we started hearing of a third wave of the infection; the so called COVID Delta variant with the Federal government contemplating putting in place another round of restrictions.

“The pandemic no doubt has had a devastating effect on the global economy as well as an incredibly high mortality put at over 4 million deaths. Even Pharmacists were not spared by the scourge with 12 Hospital Pharmacists succumbing to the pandemic”, he said.

He said that the Federal Government had done well in the area of control, but a lot still needs to be done. Great number of Nigerians has not been vaccinated. It is important for the Federal Government to fast-track measures to ensure that more Nigerians have access to the COVID-19 vaccines. That is one sure way of getting protected from the infection.

“Again, government should do more in creating awareness on the need
for Nigerians to stay alive by observing the protocols,” he said.

Amibor did not envisage another round of lock down by the Federal
Government, noting that “if people observe the protocols there is no need for government to declare another round of lockdown.”
He however commended AHAPN members for rising to the challenge of the Corona virus pandemic at the on set by immediately producing millions of dozes of hand Sanitizers, disinfectants and detergents for the use of hospital Community as part of the preventive measures to check the spread of the infection.

Amibor said that the association had achieved improved specialization in the administration of drugs in goverment hospitals as well as the status of members adding, “I am glad to report that just recently, the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of Health has directed all Federal Health Institutions to begin the establishment of compounding/manufacturing units in all their pharmacy departments. This singular action will definitely go a long way to boost medicine security in our country.”

Speaking on the theme of the conference, Director, Foods and Drugs Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Olubukola Ajayi urged pharmacists to acquire modern skills to remain relevant in the profession.

Represented by Andeyaso Kufasi, Mrs. Ajayi said: “In response to technological advancement, it high time Nigerians acknowledged the use of trending systems and products such as automated dispensing units which allows medications to be installed and dispensed near the point of care while controlling the traffic drugs distribution.

“The Nigerian government is committed to improve access to quality medicines and other health commodities in line with the second national strategic development plans.

“This shows the efforts of government towards embracing the use of technology in providing health care services. The ministry has also developed the national health logistic information system.

“In the face of all these technological advancements, pharmacists must ensure they acquire needed skills and knowledge in order to remain relevant. The approval of the consultancy cadre could not have come at a better time. I enjoin council to rise to the occasion to justify the confidence reposed in them by moving the quality of pharmaceuticalcare to the next level.”

In his speech, Mr Yusuf Ali, SAN who was the chairman of the occasion noted that pharmacists as Frontline health professionals had direct interface with patients across the country.
He however called on all tiers of government in the country to review upward the allocation of funds to the health sector for improvde health care delivery to the generality of Nigerians.

Earlier, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari during a courtesy call challenged pharmacists to improve the administration of drugs to patients who come to the hospital for health care delivery.