APIN calls for improvement in public health delivery
The Chief Executive Officer of an Abuja-based health organisation, APIN Public Health Initiative, Dr. Prosper Okonkwo, has said there is need for health experts to get more involved in extensive research and innovation to meet the global standards of preventive diseases and deaths in the country. Briefing newsmen in Abuja recently, he said […]
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The Chief Executive Officer of an Abuja-based health organisation, APIN Public Health Initiative, Dr. Prosper Okonkwo, has said there is need for health experts to get more involved in extensive research and innovation to meet the global standards of preventive diseases and deaths in the country.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja recently, he said the ability to combine research findings with evidence as well as effective implementation would improve health care delivery in the country.
Okonkwo revealed that results from APIN in-house medical records have been used to initiate policies on choice of drugs combination for HIV positive patients, and has supported professionals and researchers in carrying out investigations within and outside Nigeria.
Speaking on the allegation that there was shortage of HIV drugs in the country, Okonkwo said there were lots of drugs available for the patients, adding that the poor distribution of retroviral drugs was as a result of some bottlenecks associated with central procurement policy.
He said the system required a better coordination and synergy towards efficient and faster distribution of drugs.
He explained that the organisation changed its name from Aids Preventive Initiative in Nigeria to APIN Public Health Initiatives because it was limited to a particular area of specialty which only had to deal with AIDS but decided to diversify into other areas in the health sector.