PHOTO NEWS: Faces At HEWAN’s 13th Symposium/Excellence Award In Lagos

The Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN) yesterday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s International Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Lagos, held its 13th Symposium/Excellence Award.

The theme of the conference was “Dwindling Local Drug Production and High Cost of Essential Medicines: Rethinking Strategies for Growth.”

Experts including Pharmacists, Medical Doctors, representatives from the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), representatives from Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (PMG-MAN), representatives from the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), representatives from the representatives from National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), representatives from the Association of Community Pharmacists  of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and the representatives from the governments amongst others who spoke on the theme of the conference advocated Government-Private collaboration for the establishment of drugs manufacturing Companies in Nigeria not only to take care of the nation’s medical needs but also to create employment for about 32 million unemployed youths in Nigeria and enhance Economic growth.

They also called on governments to improve the nation’s industrial infrastructures to speed up the nation’s industrialization efforts, ensure ease of doing business  as well as reduction in the lending rate to make loan accessible to investors.

The experts emphasized the need for mutual understanding and collaboration amongst the health professionals to ensure efficient and effective healthcare services for Nigerians.

HEWAN is a group of Nigerian health, science and medicine journalists advocating better health for the Nigerian.

Below are faces of some of those who attended the conference as captured by our correspondent: