Kwara, GSK inaugurates Med-Van for provision of drugs

The Kwara Government and GlaxoSmithkline pharmaceuticals, has inaugurated the Medical-Van (Med-van), to provide education on drugs, illnesses and disease to healthcare providers in suburb and rural areas across the state.

Atolagbe Alege, the state Commissioner for Health, on Tuesday in Ilorin said this is a good initiative that is brought to the state in promotion of delivering  good healthcare services to the populace.

According to him, the program consists of educating on new procedures of treatment, interacting with healthcare providers in remote areas, sharing focus and impact of drugs on patients.

Alege noted that Kwara State is the first state the med-van initiative kick started in Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration, Omolaja Odunuga, GSK medical Director, explained that Med-van is the first mobile continuous medical education provider in Nigeria.

He added that GSK facilities will train doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare providers in the state.

“We will keep in touch with them and continuously provide cutting edge technology that will help in area of health, with this initiative, every four out of five Nigerians would be able to access quality health care,” said Odunuga.

He added that there will be virtual learning centres for on-going capacity building to get the best practices available for healthcare providers.

In his goodwill message, Kunle Olawepo, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Chairman said the association is in partnership in the initiative of promoting good healthcare in the state. Saying, 20 locations would be visited with the med-van, including; Kiama, Baruten, Shaare, Ifelodun Local government areas, and Jebba in Moro LGA, among others.

SIKIRAT SHEHU, Ilorin