By Abdu Bako Abdullahi
The Primary Healthcare Coordinator of Rogo Local Government Area, Malam Ahmad Usman, has led a comprehensive inspection and enforcement exercise across 10 wards in the area, in collaboration with sanitary inspectors.
The development was disclosed by the Information Officer of the council, Abdu Bako Abdullahi, ANIPR, during an interview with the coordinator in his office.
Usman said the operation targeted healthcare facilities, patent medicine stores and general retail outlets to ensure compliance with public health and safety standards.
He revealed that more than 150 expired medical products and consumables were discovered and confiscated during the exercise, noting that such items pose serious health risks, particularly to children, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups.
Items seized include Augmentin 625 tablets, antimalarial (ACT) tablets, Maxaron capsules, Proxicam injection, Cefuroxime tablets, co-trimazole suspension, blood tonic, Tiara and Baby Mix, among others.
Others are evaporated milk, beverages (200g packs), SP tablets, B-complex injection, paracetamol injection, Shekold tablets, diclofenac tablets, Augmentin suspension, ketoconazole cream, multivitamin drops, paracetamol syrup and butter.
The inspection team also visited bakeries and water production sites within the local government area.
Usman further disclosed that several issues were identified, including poor hygiene and sanitation practices, lack of regulatory compliance, absence of NAFDAC registration numbers on some products and other public health concerns.
He warned that the presence of expired drugs and unregulated consumables could lead to treatment failure, worsening of illnesses, poisoning and adverse drug reactions, especially among children and pregnant women.
The coordinator assured that all confiscated items would be safely disposed of, while warnings had been issued to erring shop owners and facility operators.
He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to sustained monitoring, strict enforcement of health regulations, mandatory compliance with NAFDAC requirements, regular inspections and public awareness campaigns on the dangers of expired products.
“Rogo Local Government Health Department remains committed to protecting the environment and safeguarding the well-being of the people in line with government policies and programmes,” he said.
He added that continuous surveillance and enforcement would be strengthened to eliminate unsafe medical and food products from circulation.
