The Minister Says Reform Agenda Targets Nigeria's Most Vulnerable, Seeks Partnership with Pharmacy Council

By Harriet Tornguvan 

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Bernard Doro, has said he adopted a reform driven approach upon assuming office to ensure that government interventions make a meaningful impact on the lives of Nigeria's most vulnerable citizens.

Doro made the remarks while receiving the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharmacist Ibrahim Baba Shehu Ahmed, and his delegation during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

The Minister explained that his administration is focused on implementing reforms capable of delivering sustainable humanitarian assistance and long-term poverty reduction across the country.

He commended the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria for their efforts in regulating the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in curbing the activities of quack practitioners and promoting quality healthcare delivery.

"I took a reformist method immediately after my appointment to make a positive difference that can touch the lives of more vulnerable people in our society," the Minister said.

Doro highlighted the Ministry's flagship initiative, the One Humanitarian One Poverty Reduction System (OHOPRS), describing it as an integrated framework designed to harmonise humanitarian response, social protection and poverty reduction programmes under a single national coordination mechanism.

According to him, the initiative is intended to eliminate duplication, fragmentation and isolated interventions while ensuring that government support goes beyond emergency relief to promote resilience, economic empowerment and long-term self-sufficiency among beneficiaries.

The Minister also expressed readiness to collaborate with the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria in areas of mutual interest that would enhance service delivery and improve the welfare of Nigerians.

Earlier, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharmacist Ibrahim Baba Shehu Ahmed, congratulated Doro on his appointment, describing him as a seasoned professional whose wealth of experience would positively transform the humanitarian sector.

Ahmed said the visit was to identify with the Minister's ongoing reforms and assure him of the Council's support in advancing the Ministry's mandate.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr. Doro, noting that the Minister possesses the competence and global exposure required to drive meaningful reforms in the sector.

The PCN Registrar explained that the Council is statutorily responsible for regulating pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria in line with international best practices. 

He disclosed that the Council operates offices in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with its headquarters in Abuja and Lagos serving as a special operational zone.

He added that the Council works closely with other institutions to promote a healthy society and requested a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in areas where their mandates align.

The meeting underscored the commitment of both institutions to strengthening collaboration in advancing healthcare standards, humanitarian interventions and sustainable poverty reduction initiatives across Nigeria.