President Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to host the international working meeting of the United Nations Commission on Life-Saving commodities for Women and Children on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Deputy Director, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, in a statement on Sunday, said the meeting was a follow-up to an earlier one convened in Oslo, Norway in August by the country’s Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, who is a co-chair of the commission with Jonathan.
Jimoh said the meeting was to showcase Nigeria’s commitment to boosting qualities of manufactured pharmaceutical products and enhancing regulatory framework as part of the implementation strategies.
He added, “One of the key objectives of the commission was to increase access of women and children to appropriate use of medicines, medical devices and medical supplies that effectively address leading avoidable causes of death during pregnancy, child birth and childhood.
“It is expected that the representatives of not less than 49 countries will attend the meeting in Abuja and make presentations on plans for implementation of 13 Life-Saving Commodities for Women and Children. This was a deliberate effort by member – nations to respond to UN’s Secretary – General Ban Kimoon’s global strategy for improving women and children’s health.”