Kwara State has recorded another milestone in the health sector with the successful reaccreditation and relaunch of its Pharmacy Internship Programme after two decades.
The feat followed a rigorous process by the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), opening a new chapter for the enlistment of young pharmacists into the state civil service and its secondary healthcare facilities.
The programme was formally unveiled on Wednesday at the Seminar Hall of the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH), during the orientation of newly enlisted intern pharmacists.
The event drew key stakeholders, including the Chairman, House Committee on Health and Nutrition at the State Assembly, Ogbeni Seun Ogunniyi; Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju; Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Hajia Abibat Yusuf; Acting Head of Service, Dr. Funke Shittu; Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs. Shade Omoniyi; and Director of Pharmacy, Ministry of Health.
Also present were the State Coordinator of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Pharm. Felicia Akande; Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Kwara Chapter; Chief Medical Directors of KWASUTH, General Hospital Offa, and the Civil Service Clinic, among others.
The Executive Secretary, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Malik Abdulraheem, hosted the gathering.
In his goodwill message, Ogbeni Ogunniyi praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, describing his visionary leadership as the driving force behind the achievement.
He noted that the reaccreditation reinforces the government’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and providing sustainable opportunities for young professionals.
“This initiative is not just about producing pharmacists; it is about building a resilient healthcare system. His Excellency has demonstrated passion and innovation in finding solutions to challenges in our health sector,” Ogunniyi said.
He urged the interns to uphold the ethics of their profession and use the one-year programme as a platform to “learn, unlearn, and relearn,” while committing themselves to teamwork and prioritizing patient welfare.
The government said the reaccreditation of several secondary healthcare facilities to host the programme is another proof of its investment in health reforms, designed to boost manpower and improve service delivery across the state.
