By Danhassan Abubakar
The Bauchi State Drugs and Medical Consumables Management Agency (DMMA) has intensified efforts to ensure uninterrupted access to quality and affordable essential medicines by expanding the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) scheme across the state. So far, 352 health facilities—representing 30 percent of public healthcare institutions—are enrolled.
In a major push to extend coverage, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has approved the enrollment of an additional 248 facilities and released funds for their capitalization. The expansion aims to strengthen the availability of essential drugs, especially at primary healthcare level.
According to the CEO of the State DMMA Pharmacist Abdulkadir Ahmed, a team of pharmacists, essential drug officers, logistics personnel, and M&E officers drawn from key health agencies has been deployed to assess 262 proposed facilities across the 20 LGAs. The four-day readiness assessment runs from November 13 to 15, and concludes on November 17, 2025.
He said that, ahead of the exercise, a one-day planning meeting involving 90 participants was held across Bauchi and Katagum clusters to equip assessors with the required skills.
Upon completion, DRF coverage in the state is expected to rise from 30 percent to 50 percent, marking a significant milestone in improving equitable access to essential medicines.