History beckons as the Ondo State School of Health Technology is about to resume training of Pharmacy Technicians 21 years after the creation of Ekiti state from the old Ondo State in 1996.
The passion to start Pharmacy Technology after it was discontinued over two decades ago came as a result of the dearth of Pharmacy Technicians in health facilities in the state as those on ground are retiring without replacement
This revelation came as the advisory team of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria came on an advisory visit to the Ondo State School of Health Technology as a prerequisite to the accreditation of Pharmacy Technology in the institution .
According to a statement made available to THE PRECISION by the Press Officer in the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Abooluwa Famakinwa disclosed that the Director Pharmaceutical Services in the Ministry, Mr Gbenga Lasekan said the feat was achievable with the partnership of a programme – Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) being midwifed by the Primary Health Care Board and the World Bank with the understanding that those trained will be engaged and distributed across the over 500 health facilities in the state.
Mr Lasekan charged pharmacists to hold the profession in high esteem while pledging that the State will not let the Council down.
The provost of the school, Dr Felix Olawoye who took the team on inspection of facilities in the school spoke of successes recorded by the institution recently, said the institution has carved a niche for itself by the brilliant performance of its students in external examinations.
Dr Olawoye who said students of the institution can compete favourably with their counterpart across the globe , said the management is focused in its dream of making the institution a force to be reckoned with while promising not to rest on his oars.
Giving a report on their findings, the Head of Department, Education and Training, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, Dr Anthony Idoko commended the institution for putting those facilities in place and doing the needful before contemplating admission.
Dr Idoko implored the institution not to loose focus of the purpose of starting the course which is for the benefit of the society, the profession and the student themselves said said there must be harmony between Pharmacists and the Pharmacist Technicians.
Paying a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, the team leader, Mr Emily Olalere who had in her team Dr Anthony Idoko, the Director South-West zone, Mrs Yejide Oseni, Mrs Edna and the State Officer, Mrs Nike Ogunlola commended the collaboration of the School with the Ministry of Health and charged them to remain focussed and committed for the good of the students.
Mrs Olalere commended the State Government for its vision of wanting to train and engage indigenous Pharmacy Technicians to avoid brain drain and capital flight.
She implored government not to rest on its oars as much still need to be done to enhance quality education in the institution.
Responding, The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr Taye Oni commended the quick and timely response of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, saying the benefit of Pharmacy Technology cannot be over emphasised as it will give opportunity to patient medicine store operators to have minimum training.
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