04/11/2025
PS-DMCMA DG Receives Youth Group
The Director General (DG) of the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (PS-DMCMA), Pharm. Kim Jerry Bot, received members of the Tarok Progressive Youth Association (TAPYA) who were on a courtesy visit to his office.
The DG described the visit and interaction with the youth as “one of the best engagements I’ve had this morning,” expressing gratitude to the PYC/TAPYA for their initiative and for prioritizing health concerns affecting the Tarok nation.
Speaking earlier, Mr. Miri Timnan Nyantau, Chairman of the PYC/TAPYA, conveyed greetings from the Tarok Traditional Council. He emphasized that the Tarok people rely heavily on the Agency for access to essential medicines/commodities.
He highlighted two critical health challenges facing the Tarok nation. These include snakebite envenomation and hepatitis B infection.
Mr. Nyantau appealed to the agency to ensure greater availability of anti-snake venom in Langtang North, Langtang South, and Wase Local Government Areas, noting that these areas record the highest number of snakebite cases in Plateau State.
He lamented that the scarcity and high cost of anti-snake venom have led to avoidable deaths, as most victims cannot afford treatment.
He further appealed for improved access to hepatitis B vaccines, explaining that the disease continues to affect many, particularly the youth, and has serious socioeconomic implications for the Tarok people especially the youth.
Adding his voice, Mr. Kumswa Julfa Domzhin, a member of the PYC/TAPYA, reiterated that snakebites have become a major public health concern in Tarok land. He called on the Agency to consider involving private health facilities in Langtang North, Langtang South, and Wase in training and storage of anti-snake venom, stressing that collaboration between public and private sectors would significantly improve outcomes.
Responding, Pharm. Kim thanked the delegation for their visit and described their appeal as timely. He revealed that the state had already initiated plans for the establishment of an Anti-Snake Venom and Response Centre, following deliberations at the 64th Council of Health Meeting.
He explained that a memorandum had been submitted and approved, with key stakeholders, including the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, the Permanent Secretary, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital Management Board, and the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board - all working together to advance the project.
The DG disclosed that research conducted on local plant species revealed that Tarok land is uniquely endowed and blessed with snake species whose venom could be harnessed for local anti-venom production.
He added that efforts are ongoing on to expand the research team for venom extraction and indigenous vaccine development.
The DG commended His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Executive Governor of Plateau State, for his commitment to local manufacturing of vaccines, intravenous fluids, and essential medicines. He noted that the Governor had already constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising representatives from the Ministries of Budget and Planning, Finance, and Justice, to ensure the success of the local manufacturing initiative.
The DG further disclosed that the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency (DMA) currently manages the distribution of anti-snake venom vaccines procured by the State Government. He confirmed that the Governor had fully paid for the vaccines and directed that they be subsidized for public access.
Pharm Kim also revealed that the Agency had recently deployed hepatitis B test kits to General Hospitals in Langtang and Mabudi, to get them at DMA and are affordable reducing the cost of testing.
He added that discussions were ongoing with the Global Fund and the U.S. Embassy to provide GeneXpert machines to Langtang and other parts of the local government area for improved diagnostic capacity in those regions.
The DG assured the delegation that the Plateau State Government remains committed to ensuring availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare commodities for all citizens.
He also disclosed that the State Government was in talks with vaccine manufacturers to procure typhoid and cholera vaccines, adding that while the cholera vaccine is currently in its final clinical trial phase, the typhoid vaccine will be available and would soon be deployed across the state.
On training and capacity building, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, Honourable Commissioner for Health, noted that the Ministry had commenced plans for comprehensive training on snakebite management, not only for doctors but also for pharmacists, to improve knowledge of medication storage, logistics, and local production,and also trained nurses on how to watch out for patients who are on admission in terms of complications processes.
Mr. Dafam Dorker David, a medical practitioner from Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), commended the DG for his leadership and pledged support for the proposed training initiatives.
Also speaking, Mr. Napoleon Nanzin, Secretary of the Tarok Progressive Youth Association, expressed gratitude to Governor Caleb Mutfwang for including the Tarok people in his administration. He thanked the DG for his openness and leadership, assuring him of the Association’s continued support and prayers for wisdom in steering the affairs of the Agency.
