Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on have flagged – off sensitization campaign to combat unwholesome food, falsified medical products, poor water and other substandard regulated products in Kebbi state.
Speaking at the event, Director – General (DG) of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Christian Adeyeye, said the objectives of the sensitization Program is to intensify and expand the scope of the informal and formal behavior change communication strategies in order to reach the vulnerable communities especially the grass root.
She noted that it is a common knowledge that Nigeria had a huge share of the global problem of falsified medical products and unwholesome food.
Adding that the advent of COVID-19 Pandemic has aggravated the problem with the challenge posed by substandard and falsified Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
“The sensitization campaigns will therefore contribute significantly to Federal Government’s concerted efforts to inform and alert the public on inherent dangers of using those spurious regulated products,” she said.
The Director General who was Represented by Mr Dauda Gimba, Director, North West Zone, explained futher that the public awareness campaign is one of the veritable regulatory mechanisms put in place by NAFDAC to promote and protect health of the people.
“This is why today’s event is another major milestone in our bid to protect Nigerians against the deleterious effects of unwholesome food, falsified medical products, harmful cosmetics, poor water and other substandard regulated products” she said.
According to her the campaign themes are multifaceted with clear educative messages aimed at arousing the consciousness of the public, some of the campaign themes include : Dangers of buying medicines from hawkers, Abuse of Codeine and self-medication especially among youths; and the dangerous effects of using Kerosene tanker to load groundnut oil, dangerous practice of using potassium bromate to bake bread, and low level of exclusive breastfeeding practice by lactating Mother’s and it associated health hazards.
In his remarks, the Emir of Gwandu Alhaji iliyasu Bashar represented by the District Head of Lani, Dr Abubakar Koko Commended the Agency for protecting and safe guiding the lives of the people
He described the campaign as timely; he therefore assures the full support of the traditional institutions towards the success of the campaign.
Speaking Earlier the permanent secretary state ministry of health Alhaji Kalele Umar said the state government has set up a committee to coup the menace of drug abuse in the Society. Adding that the state government will continue to improve in its efforts to ensure the citizens safety.
The highlight of the event was a road work awareness campaign to major streets in Birnin Kebbi, central market and central motor park and other major places across state.
