About 200 members of the Association of Community Pharmacists of
Nigeria (ACPN) will undergo vaccination training at the association 41st
National conference scheduled to take place in Lagos state.
This was contained in a statement by the ACPN National Chairman,
Adewale Oladigbolu, prior to the scientific conference which will take place
from July, 25 and 29.
Oladigbolu also said the conference would allow the ACPN members
to augment themselves in learning and skill improvement with a mix of
opportunities to fraternize with associates.
He said that part of the agenda for the conference was the
Mandatory Continuing Development Programme (MCDP) stipulated by the Pharmacists
Council of Nigeria (PCN) for all Pharmacy Practitioners in Nigeria.
According to him, community pharmacists are the most
accessible-trained healthcare providers that offer services along the
protective, preventive, curative, promotion and palliative spectra of the
health delivery system.
He also stated that the annual national scientific conference
was a unique opportunity for practitioners to deliberate on contemporary issues
pharmacy practice and healthcare in Nigeria.
“It is noteworthy that other critical stakeholders in the
healthcare industry usually join us in policy debates at this all-important
event.
“The theme of this year’s Conference is “Never waste crisis:
community pharmacists learning for future preparedness.
“This theme is a reflection of the COVID-19 global crisis which
led to the death of more than 15 million people globally,” he said.
According to Oladigbolu, since Nigeria is in dire need of more
resources for healthcare, community pharmacists are available to close that
gap.
He stated that currently, about 100 pharmacists are
administering COVID-19 vaccination nationwide out of 6,530 willing and able
community pharmacists.
He said that more pharmacists needed to be trained to close the
gaps in COVID-19 vaccination as well as routine immunisations.
Oladigbolu said that the training would be conducted with the
support of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) to scale up
on meeting Nigeria’s primary healthcare needs.
He said that the conference would offer formal integration of
community pharmacists in the primary healthcare system in Nigeria where the
National Health Insurance Act is at the implementation stage.
According to the statement, pharmacy practice is a scientific
endeavor with a huge commercial window which also guarantees the financial
health of the practice of members.
Oladigbolu said that the ACPN was partnering with Polaris Bank
and Leadway insurance in crafting a workshop titled financial intelligence for
community pharmacists.
He said that healthy community pharmacists would doubtlessly
ensure a better healthcare system in Nigeria.
Prominent Nigerians like Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor Borno
state, Dr Faisal Shuiab, Executive Director, NPHCDA, and Director General
of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye are expected at the conference.
The President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Prof.
Odianose Usifoh, Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Babashehu
Ahmed are also expected at the ACPN conference.
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