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Niger State Moves to Introduce Drug Amnesty Scheme for Private Hospitals
01 May 2026
The Executive Chairman of the Niger State Private Health Facilities Agency (NiSPHFA), Dr. Abdullahi Suleiman, has reiterated that the establishment of the Agency by the State Government was designed to foster mutual benefits between the government and private health facilities.
Dr. Suleiman made this known during a tripartite meeting involving the Executive Director of the Niger State Drugs and Hospitals Consumables Management Agency (NSDHCMA) and the Association of Private Clinic Practitioners of Nigeria (APCPN). The meeting was held recently at the Drugs Management Agency in Minna.
He explained that the Agency is committed to building strong collaboration frameworks that will attract grants from international donors, and government interventions, to benefit private health establishments across the State.
The Executive Chairman further noted that Private health facilities play a critical role in delivering essential healthcare services, including malaria treatment, family planning, HIV/AIDS care, and other interventions. He emphasized the importance of generating quality health data from these facilities to complement government records and support evidence-based planning for improved health outcomes.
Highlighting a key proposal, Dr. Suleiman disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Drugs Management Agency to introduce a drug amnesty initiative. The scheme, he said, would allow Private hospitals to access essential medicines at subsidized rates, with flexible payment arrangements to ease financial burdens and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Drugs Management Agency, Pharm. (Dr.) Umar Ndagi, announced that the State has over 1,500 government-owned Primary Health Care facilities, in addition to numerous private facilities, underscoring the need for a robust and reliable drug supply system.
He explained that the Agency was established following recommendations by USAID to serve as a regulatory and supply chain mechanism to curb the circulation of substandard and fake drugs. Since becoming operational in 2015, the Agency has focused on ensuring access to affordable, safe, and quality essential medicines.
According to him, the Agency has so far achieved about 35 percent coverage in Secondary Health Care facilities and expanded services to 428 Primary Health Care Centres as of March 2026. He expressed optimism that coverage would reach 80 percent by 2027.
Dr. Ndagi also revealed plans to extend similar opportunities to Private Health Care providers, including access to drugs on a deferred payment basis, subject to a minimal commitment fee to cover logistics and security costs.
He stressed that sustainability remains a priority, adding that the Agency would soon commence drug quality assessments in private facilities to ensure compliance with standards. He clarified that the exercise is not intended as a punitive measure but as part of efforts to safeguard public health.
The Executive Director further disclosed ongoing collaborations with relevant agencies, including efforts to address drug abuse among youths, while strengthening a unified supply chain system to enhance monitoring and decision-making across the State.
Responding, the Chairman of the Association of Private Clinic Practitioners of Nigeria (APCPN), Ambassador Tanko kaburu, commended the initiative, particularly the proposed drug amnesty scheme, describing it as a significant step toward supporting private healthcare providers. He assured that members of the Association would be adequately informed to take advantage of the intervention.
Information Unit
NiSPHFA
14/04/2026
Dr. Suleiman made this known during a tripartite meeting involving the Executive Director of the Niger State Drugs and Hospitals Consumables Management Agency (NSDHCMA) and the Association of Private Clinic Practitioners of Nigeria (APCPN). The meeting was held recently at the Drugs Management Agency in Minna.
He explained that the Agency is committed to building strong collaboration frameworks that will attract grants from international donors, and government interventions, to benefit private health establishments across the State.
The Executive Chairman further noted that Private health facilities play a critical role in delivering essential healthcare services, including malaria treatment, family planning, HIV/AIDS care, and other interventions. He emphasized the importance of generating quality health data from these facilities to complement government records and support evidence-based planning for improved health outcomes.
Highlighting a key proposal, Dr. Suleiman disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the Drugs Management Agency to introduce a drug amnesty initiative. The scheme, he said, would allow Private hospitals to access essential medicines at subsidized rates, with flexible payment arrangements to ease financial burdens and ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
In his remarks, the Executive Director of the Drugs Management Agency, Pharm. (Dr.) Umar Ndagi, announced that the State has over 1,500 government-owned Primary Health Care facilities, in addition to numerous private facilities, underscoring the need for a robust and reliable drug supply system.
He explained that the Agency was established following recommendations by USAID to serve as a regulatory and supply chain mechanism to curb the circulation of substandard and fake drugs. Since becoming operational in 2015, the Agency has focused on ensuring access to affordable, safe, and quality essential medicines.
According to him, the Agency has so far achieved about 35 percent coverage in Secondary Health Care facilities and expanded services to 428 Primary Health Care Centres as of March 2026. He expressed optimism that coverage would reach 80 percent by 2027.
Dr. Ndagi also revealed plans to extend similar opportunities to Private Health Care providers, including access to drugs on a deferred payment basis, subject to a minimal commitment fee to cover logistics and security costs.
He stressed that sustainability remains a priority, adding that the Agency would soon commence drug quality assessments in private facilities to ensure compliance with standards. He clarified that the exercise is not intended as a punitive measure but as part of efforts to safeguard public health.
The Executive Director further disclosed ongoing collaborations with relevant agencies, including efforts to address drug abuse among youths, while strengthening a unified supply chain system to enhance monitoring and decision-making across the State.
Responding, the Chairman of the Association of Private Clinic Practitioners of Nigeria (APCPN), Ambassador Tanko kaburu, commended the initiative, particularly the proposed drug amnesty scheme, describing it as a significant step toward supporting private healthcare providers. He assured that members of the Association would be adequately informed to take advantage of the intervention.
Information Unit
NiSPHFA
14/04/2026