— Calls for Stronger Healthcare Partnerships to Address Public Health Crisis

By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has expressed deep concern over the rising abuse of pharmaceutical opioids such as Tramadol and Codeine among youths in the North West region, describing the situation as “alarming.”

He made this known at a reception organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kaduna Branch, in honour of the newly elected National President, Pharmacist Ayuba Ibrahim, and Deputy President (North), Pharmacist Aisha Isyaku.

Represented by Joseph O. Ike, the Director General of the Kaduna State Bureau for Substance Abuse (KADBUSA), the Governor called on the PSN to prioritize strategies aimed at curbing the opioid epidemic ravaging communities in the region.

“As you are aware, in Nigeria, 1 out of 7 people use drugs, according to the 2018 UNODC Survey. However, here in Northwestern Nigeria, we see an unacceptably high prevalence of abuse of pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol and Codeine. This is especially worrying because we know that 1 out of 5 users of these types of drugs are addicted to them, and this portends not just a public health issue but also a security and developmental challenge for the region,” Ike said on behalf of the Governor.

He expressed optimism that the new leadership of the PSN under Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ibrahim and Pharm. Aisha Tukur Isyaku would bolster the fight against substance abuse and enhance healthcare delivery in Kaduna State and beyond.

The Governor praised pharmacists as an indispensable part of the healthcare ecosystem, stating:

“Your expertise in dispensing medications, patient counseling, drug information, and increasingly in public health initiatives, is vital to achieving our collective goal of providing accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to all citizens of Kaduna State.”

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the PSN Kaduna Branch, Pharm. Sunday Ali, expressed confidence that the new leadership would usher in an era of progressive reforms, renewed advocacy, and greater unity within the profession.

Additionally, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Pharm. Jijiwa Fufore, described the new President as a shining example of dedication, professionalism, humility, and service, promising continuous support towards strengthening the profession, advancing the PSN, and promoting a healthcare system that fully recognizes and respects the role of pharmacists.

The newly elected PSN National President, Pharm. Ayuba Ibrahim, pledged to elevate the society and the profession to greater heights, with a focus on combating the growing threat of drug abuse and enhancing pharmaceutical standards across the country.