Stakeholders in the health sector have described the pharmacy house being constructed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, in Enugu State, as historical.
DAILY POST reports that the project was attracted by the Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representatives and member representing Aninri/Awgu/Orji River Federal Constituency, Hon. Toby Okechukwu.
Okechukwu said at the event that he was moved to attract the project owing to the role played by the UNTH pharmacy department, in the COVID-19 fight.
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The lawmaker, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of the pharmacy house, said the department produced good COVID-19 preventive sanitizer in the heat of the pandemic “and it was tested and trusted.”
He was optimistic that if given more opportunities, the pharmacists would do exploits.
“This project we have attracted is to create an enabling environment for the pharmacists to pratice their trade and to contribute to the community.
“More importantly, my expectation is that they get involved in most activities like the conferencing, hospitality and manufacturing, such that they will be able to employ people.
“The only thing i require from them is to get my people gainfully engaged because we are doing this essentially for job creation. That is the only way you can sustainably employ young people by establishing outfits that can keep them busy,” he said.
Earlier, the CMD of UNTH, Dr. Obinna Onodugo appreciated the federal lawmaker for his giant strides.
He said, “The people of Aninri, Awgu and Orji River constituency are indeed blessed for having such a young, dynamic, resourceful, accessible and responsive gentleman as their Representative.
“The groundbreaking of the pharmacy house, we are doing today, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and was attracted by Honourable Toby and he has been at the top making sure the project continues and is completed.”
Onodugo said the the pharmacy and the entire teaching hospital had seen his vibrancy, and recognized him for the outstanding services he had rendered and was still rendering to the institution.
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Also speaking, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the National President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria thanked Okechukwu, who he said God used to attract the great project to the health institution.
“I thank Hon. Okechukwu whom God has used to attract this significant project to this great institution, indeed they say when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice, that is why we are rejoicing today.
“This Pharmacy house is a significant one and first of its kind in Nigeria. This is where the pharmacists will exhibit and demonstrate all the country has invested in this category of profession.
“Pharmacists often are not seen in the hospitals, they are hidden behind counters, behind rooms but this will project them because it will show their capabilities and capacities in terms of doing what they call compounding or hospital manufacturing.
“So, they are not going to depend on imported products or drugs they buy from pharmacy companies, they can produce in the institution’s pharmacy house, with specific need of patients in mind.”
The pharmacy house has an auditorium for conferencing, hospitality suites, offices and manufacturing units.
