By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Ilorin – The Kwara Government has inaugurated an initiative, Medical-Van (Med-Van), to provide education on drugs and diseases to healthcare providers in rural areas in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday in Ilorin, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Atolagbe Alege, said that the initiative with the support of GlaxoSmithkline Pharmaceuticals, would promote quality healthcare.
He said the initiative would facilitate education on new procedures of treatment, boost interaction with healthcare providers in remote areas and help assess the impact of drugs on patients.
Alege said that Kwara was one of the first locations in Africa to access the benefit of the Med-Van initiative.
Speaking at the event, Dr Omolaja Odunuga, GSK Medical Director, explained that Med-Van was the first mobile continuous medical education provider in Nigeria.
He explained that GSK facilities would train doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare providers in the state.
“We will keep in touch with them and continuously provide cutting edge technology that will help in the area of health,” he said.
Odunuga also said with the initiative, every four out of five Nigerians would be able to access quality health care.
He added that there would be virtual learning centres for on-going capacity building to make the best practices available to healthcare providers.
In his goodwill message, Dr Kunle Olawepo, the State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), said the association was a partner in the initiative to promote good health.
According to him, the 20 locations to be visited under the Med-Van initiative include Kaiama, Baruten, Ifelodun and Moro Local Government Areas.
