By Lengmi Joshua Lumi
In a move that underscores the commitment of the Mutfwang-led Administration to foster local manufacturing and enhance healthcare services in Plateau State, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, recently paid a visit to the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA). During the visit, he urged the Agency to collaborate with local manufacturers to produce essential medical commodities, emphasizing the state government’s support for local businesses and industries.
The Commissioner’s visit included a tour of the Agency’s facilities, where he expressed his satisfaction with the state-of-the-art environment and lauded the Director General, Pharm. Jerry Kim Bot, for his leadership and the visible progress made in the Agency. Dr. Ba’amlong commended the hard work, passion, and dedication demonstrated by the entire team at the Agency, noting that their efforts reflect a strong commitment to improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr. Ba’amlong also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Plateau State, particularly in addressing key health challenges outlined in the Governor’s “Time is Now” administration agenda.
The Commissioner was particularly impressed by the Agency’s warehouse, stocked with essential medicines and medical commodities. He praised the Agency’s preparedness to serve not just primary and secondary healthcare centers, but also tertiary and private healthcare facilities across the state. His remarks highlighted the importance of ensuring that healthcare infrastructure is equipped to meet the growing needs of the population.
Acknowledging the vital role of data management in healthcare, Dr. Ba’amlong applauded Pharm. Bot for the Agency’s robust data room. He urged other health-related agencies to adopt similar data management systems to track their activities and enable self-auditing. The Commissioner stressed the importance of teamwork and reassured the Agency of continued support from the state government in achieving their goals.
In his remarks, Pharm. Jerry Kim Bot, the Director General of PS-DMCMA, welcomed the Commissioner’s visit and expressed appreciation for his leadership and commitment to the health sector. He emphasized that the Agency’s mandate goes beyond being the sole supplier of medicines and medical commodities to public health facilities in the state. The Agency also plays a crucial role in driving a sustainable system of drug management, ensuring access to safe, effective, and high-quality medicines.
Pharm. Bot also took the opportunity to commend Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for his foresight and continuous support, ensuring that the people of Plateau State have access to affordable medicines. However, he outlined several challenges faced by the Agency, including the need for additional warehouse space, better logistical routes, more motorcycles for essential drugs officers, and the processing of land documents for their Lamingo site. He appealed to the government for continued assistance in overcoming these hurdles.
The visit highlight tour of the Agency’s facilities, where Dr. Ba’amlong, accompanied by some directors from the State Ministry of Health, to assess the Agency’s achievements and discuss the way forward in strengthening healthcare delivery across the state.
