The Kwara State government, on Thursday, organised an orientation programme for newly recruited intern pharmacists in Ilorin on Thursday, as part of their integration into the state civil service.

The orientation programme was organised by the Kwara State Hospital Management Board.

In his address, the executive secretary of the board, AbdulRaheem Malik, explained that pharmacy plays a central role in ensuring safe, effective, and rational use of medicines.

“As intern pharmacists, you are stepping into a profession that goes beyond dispensing drugs; you are joining a calling that demands integrity, professionalism, compassion, and lifelong commitment to service,” he said.

Mr Malik noted that their contributions would have a direct impact on patient care quality, hospital efficiency, and public trust in the healthcare system.

According to him, the orientation is designed to provide the pharmacists with the necessary knowledge, guidance, and tools to enable them to transition smoothly into service.

He appreciated Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for his support during the long and tedious accreditation process.

Mr Malik assured that the present administration remains committed to strengthening the health sector by prioritising capacity building, workforce development, and improved hospital infrastructure.

The Kwara commissioner for communications, Bolanle Olukoju, described the pharmacist internship programme as a historic breakthrough in the state’s healthcare sector.

She noted that for over 20 years, no pharmacist internship training had taken place in Kwara, making the current development a significant milestone.

Ms Olukoju commended Mr AbdulRazaq for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the health system and creating opportunities for young professionals to grow and contribute meaningfully to society.

She said the reaccreditation reflects the government’s dedication to reforms and improved service delivery across critical sectors.

The commissioner charged the interns to be proactive, innovative, and disciplined throughout their one-year programme.

Barakat Olanrewaju, director of pharmacy at the Kwara Ministry of Health, noted in her lecture that the state’s loss of accreditation was due to insufficient staff and inadequate infrastructure, which limited opportunities for mentoring young pharmacists.

“It was a very painful moment when we lost accreditation. Kwara was once one of the major centres in Nigeria for internship training,” she said.

She urged the interns to uphold ethical standards, maintain confidentiality in patient care, and demonstrate integrity in their professional conduct.

She stressed the importance of teamwork, compassion, and proper documentation of activities during the one-year internship, noting that supervisors have been directed to guide the interns with patience and professionalism. 

(NAN)