Essential drugs in primary health centres of north central Nigeria; where is Bamako initiative?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the availability of essential drugs and the perceptions of clients on drugs situation in the primary health centres of Tafa Local Government Area, north central Nigeria.


METHODS
Checklist consisting of minimum drugs expected in a generic primary health centre developed by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) was adopted and used to assess drugs availability, while Focus Group Discussions were conducted to determine the perceptions of clients on drugs situation in the health centres.


RESULTS
Results show that, all the 3 primary health centres in Tafa LGA do not implement Bamako initiative (BI) and none was operating Drug Revolving Fund (DRF) system. Out of the minimum recommended score of 54 points for the availability and adequacy of drugs and consumables, New Wuse primary health centre in the LGAheadquarters scored highest points of 19, while New Bwari and Iku primary health centres scored 13 points each. All these are far below the minimum requirement. Similarly, the results of the FGDs confirmed poor availability of drugs and clients dissatisfactions with the drugs situation in the primary health centres.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has revealed that despite Bamako Initiatives put in place in late 80s essentials drugs are still mirages in many of the primary health care facilities in the study area. It is therefore recommended that, any effort aimed at reforming or repositioning primary health care must take into account resuscitating Bamako Initiative by ensuring functional DRF system in all the primary care facilities.
Sambo
M N
MN
Department of Community Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. sambonasir@yahoo.com
Lewis
I
I
Sabitu
K
K
D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000592:standards*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*