Drug Management Agencies Reaffirm Commitment to Enhancing Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria

Abuja, May 19, 2025 — Heads of Drug Management Agencies (DMAs) across Nigeria have renewed their pledge to significantly contribute to improving maternal and child healthcare services nationwide. This commitment was articulated during a two-day strategic meeting held in Abuja from May 15th-16th, 2025.

In a statement at the end of the two-day event, the Public Relations Officer of the Heads of DMAs and Head of the Plateau State DMA, Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, noted that the commitment of DMAs in Nigeria aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

The statement notes that Pharm. Aisha Isyaku Tukur, Chairperson of the Heads of DMAs and Head of Kaduna State DMA emphasized their role in ensuring the accessibility of quality and affordable medicines as a cornerstone for advancing maternal and child health indices.

Key stakeholders at the event included the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII), led by National Coordinator Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, alongside partners such as EngenderHealth, the African Resource Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC\_ESM), HSDF Consortium Partners, Field, the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), and Technical Advice Connect (TAConnect).

Dr. Dayo Adeyanju highlighted alarming declines in maternal and neonatal health metrics and outlined plans led by the Honorable Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Mohammed Pate, to tackle these challenges. He underscored the pivotal responsibilities of DMAs in warehousing, distribution, quality control, data management, and ensuring accountability in delivering essential commodities to health facilities for vulnerable women and children.

Partners presented specialized strategies as follows:

* ARC/ESM focused on governance and innovative financing for supply chain management.
* EngenderHealth addressed sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and health advocacy to improve primary healthcare delivery.
* HSDF Consortium, including CHAI and SCIDaR, proposed the adoption of high-impact maternal, newborn, and child health innovations.
* Field emphasized emerging therapies and infrastructure enhancements.
* CIPS highlighted improved procurement systems to tackle supply chain disruptions.
* TAConnect aimed to accelerate the adoption and scaling of effective maternal, newborn, and child health interventions.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution for DMAs nationwide to support this cause by ensuring essential health commodities reach the last mile, reinforcing supply chain integration, advancing the Sector Wide Approach (SWAp), and commissioning warehouses.

The DMAs and partners commended President Tinubu’s leadership, Minister Pate’s efforts, and the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) for their visionary contributions to the healthcare sector.