FEC Approves ₦10.3bn For HIV Drugs, Diabetes Kits, Others

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved about N10 billion for the purchase of antiretroviral medications for the treatment of HIV, diabetes diagnostic kits, and other essential health items.

Dr. Ali Pate, the minister of health and social welfare, explained that the initiative is intended to improve access and affordability for Nigerians to health products and services.

“We approved the first-line antiretroviral drugs a few weeks ago, and we are now putting forth resources, almost N997 million in contract, to procure the third-line antiretroviral drugs for those who are HIV-infected.

Given the shift to domestic financing and the changes in global health financing, he said, “I believe you will understand the importance of this.”

The procurement of locally produced diabetes diagnostic kits is included in the second category of contracts, according to Pate.

Diabetes is a pressing issue in our nation. One of the fastest-growing segments is it. Many people in our country are diabetic, he said, and some don’t even realize they are.

He added that a Lagos-based private company has been given the task of producing diagnostic test kits.

The government is therefore purchasing the diagnostic kits and the manufactured here in Nigeria’s on-point blood glucose monitoring system. By encouraging local manufacturers, “Pate said, this is bringing to life the effort to unlock the healthcare value chain.”

Additionally, health workers will be trained to monitor patients’ blood sugar levels and distributed across primary healthcare facilities.

According to Pate, the president had previously emphasized the need for a medical relief program to lower the cost of medical supplies.

He claimed that in order to help with costs, N4.5 billion would be allocated for the purchase of antibiotics, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic medications in addition to the test kits.

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He added that the test kits were produced in Nigeria as part of efforts to support local production.

Additionally, the minister disclosed that the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi’s Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University had received an N2.1 billion grant to fund the purchase of a mobile X-ray machine and the rehabilitation and installation of a 64-slice CT scan.

Source: Channels TV