Namadi inaugurates N1.4bn central medical store in Jigawa

Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has inaugurated an ultra-modern Central Medical Store in Dutse as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve the management of pharmaceutical products across the State.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, he described the facility as a landmark achievement that would significantly enhance the state’s health system and benefit the entire population.

“This project represents a historic milestone in our quest to strengthen healthcare delivery in Jigawa State. It will ensure efficient, safe and accountable management of pharmaceutical products for the benefit of our people”, he said.

Governor Namadi explained that the Central Medical Store was the outcome of years of consultation and collaboration between the Jigawa State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Global Fund and United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF), implemented under the National Supply Chain Policy for Pharmaceuticals and related products.

According to him, the partnership mobilised about N1.4 billion for the successful execution of the project. “These collaborative efforts committed about N1.4 billion towards the realisation of this project,” he stated.

The governor noted that longstanding weaknesses in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical supply chain such as poor infrastructure, weak coordination, frequent stock-outs, expiries and wastages have negatively affected healthcare delivery nationwide.

He said the newly inaugurated Central Medical Store was strategically designed to address the challenges through a harmonised and responsive management system. “This facility would enhance efficiency, accountability, safety and optimal service delivery, in line with the National Health Policy and our commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage,” Namadi said.

He directed the State Ministry of Health to ensure that all health programmes and implementing partners immediately move their pharmaceuticals and related products into the Central Medical Store to guarantee quality, potency and safety and expressed appreciation to the partners for their sustained support before formally commissioning the facility for public use.

Earlier, Muhammad Abdullahi Kainuwa, the Commissioner for Health, described the Central Medical Store as the first state-built facility of its kind in Jigawa’s history. “This project will eliminate the need for renting private warehouses, reduce exposure to theft and losses, and ensure proper storage and efficient distribution of medicines across health facilities in the state,” Kainuwa said.

He added that the store is among the largest pharmaceutical facilities in the country, with the capacity to accommodate about 25,000 pallets.

The facility is equipped with multiple cold rooms, modern warehouse handling equipment, advanced IT systems, fire safety infrastructure, and dedicated cold-chain vehicles.