Sunyani, July 7, GNA - Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Tuesday suggested to the Ministry of Health to strengthen licensed chemical sellers as important partners in efforts to provide good health for the people.

He noted that licensed chemical sellers in the communities were among the most trusted people, providing an important social service to the public.

This was contained in a speech read for him at the launch of this year's national training programme for licensed chemical sellers at Sunyani.

The programme, organized by the Pharmacy Council, was aimed at upgrading the skills and knowledge of chemical sellers in the delivery of their service.

Noting that they constituted the first port of call for most patients in the country, the Regional Minister urged them not to use their advantaged position to compound the problems of prospective clients and patients.

He stated that the private health sector provided about 42 percent of health care services and was becoming an important and a growing source of health services delivery in the country.

"One of the key components of government policy to improve the health care delivery system is to increase the use of non-government and private health providers", Nana Seinti said.

He called on District Assemblies to use training programmes of the Pharmacy Council to sensitise and educate the public on the National Insurance Scheme.

Mr Henry Saja, Brong Ahafo Regional Officer of the Pharmacy Council, called on the public to report unauthorized or illegal sale of drugs to the Council to ensure that chemical sellers operated according to standards and in conformity with the provisions of the Pharmacy Act. He said the Council's inspectors had begun an exercise to clamp down on the activities of quack drug dealers and peddlers of fake and unwholesome drugs, which were detrimental to the health of the people. Mr Michael Awuku-Kwatia, Registrar, said the Council was committed to the training of licensed chemical sellers.

He said this year's programme would run through 56 training centres and would cover some 8,000 licensed chemical sellers.