Ministry, MDS Logistics Partner To Maintain Medical Warehouses
The Federal Ministry of Health and MDS logistics Ltd, a supply chain company have signed a management contract for the Operations and Maintenance of Abuja Premier Medical Warehouse and Lagos Federal Central Medical Warehouse under the Public Private Partnership arrangement (PPP).
Speaking at the event, in Abuja, the Minster of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, who described the project as the first flag ship of PPP arrangement in the Health Ministry said that the Health Ministry was motivated to partner with the Company considering the company’s amiable pedigree of quality service delivery and efficiency.
The Health Minister stated that Medical Warehouses should be seen as “more than ordinary medical facilities because they safeguard” the future of the Nation” Adewole also proposed that a medical warehouse of such standard be replicated in each of the Six (6) geo-political zones of the Federation.
He further charged the maintenance company to break new grounds and justify the confidence reposed on them by the Federal Government by keeping to the terms of the agreement.
In his welcome address, the Director, Food and Drug Services, Federal Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Lawal Oluko, commended the initiative which he said had transformed the supply chain system, after years of neglect.
The Head, Public Private Partnership & Diaspora Unit, Dr. Omobolanle Olowu, appreciated the support of USAID and other partners for making the project a reality. She also said the project would ensure better storage and distribution of drugs and commodities in the country
Responding, the Managing Director, MDS Logistics, Mr. Taiwo Ajibola, assured that the Company had the competence and expertise to “nurture the child to expected level’’. This feat, the MD said, would be achieved by ensuring that the USERS came first and that drugs were delivered in good form.
Also speaking, the Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engr. Chidi K. C. Izuwah Snr. said that signing of the contract kick started another significant project of health infrastructure delivery within the framework of National Healthcare Policy Document 2016 and National Strategic Health Development Policy Plan(2018-2022).
It would be recalled that the process started in May 30th, 2014 with the signing of Memorandum of understanding between the FMOH, USAID and Global fund. This was due to the huge supply gap noted in the storage of donated public health commodities.
