Health
FG Backs Local Diagnostic Production To Boost Health Security — Minister
By Folasade Akpan
The Federal Government says it is prioritising local production of diagnostic equipment and technologies to strengthen Nigeria’s health security and reduce dependence on global supply chains.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said this at the opening of a three-day National Summit on Diagnostics in Abuja.
The summit has the theme: “Strengthening Partnerships and Local Content for Integrated Diagnostics”.
Salako who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Daju Kachollom, said the government’s plan included manufacturing, distribution and maintenance of diagnostic equipment and in-vitro diagnostic products within the country.
“Strengthening local innovation and production will enhance national health security, stimulate economic growth, create jobs and position Nigeria as a regional leader in healthcare solutions,” he said.
He described diagnostics as the foundation of modern healthcare and critical to effective disease prevention, early detection and treatment.
“Accurate and timely diagnosis is essential for disease prevention, early detection, effective treatment and continuous patient monitoring,” he said.
According to him, strengthening diagnostic capacity is a strategic investment that will improve efficiency and credibility of Nigeria’s health system.
Salako said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and reinforced the need for countries to build local manufacturing capacity.
“Countries with strong diagnostic systems are better equipped to detect, respond to and contain public health threats,” he said.
He said Nigeria had expanded laboratory infrastructure and molecular testing capacity during the pandemic but must now deepen domestic production of diagnostic technologies.
Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Salako said transforming the health sector remained a national priority.
He added that the ministry was implementing policies aimed at strengthening laboratory services nationwide.
“A key example is the implementation and periodic review of the National Essential Diagnostics List which guides availability of priority tests across all levels of care,” he said.
Salako said government was also strengthening laboratory networks, improving quality assurance systems and expanding workforce development.
He emphasised that partnerships with development partners, the private sector and research institutions were essential to improving diagnostic services.
“Government alone cannot achieve the transformation we envision; strong partnerships are necessary for sustainable progress,” he said.
The Director, Medical Laboratory Services Division in the ministry, Mr Elon Emeka, said the summit was part of efforts to operationalise reforms within the health sector.
“The mandate is in line with prioritising the health sector in Nigeria and demonstrating that through partnership we can strengthen our health system,” he said.
Emeka said the summit focused on promoting innovation, local production and integration within Nigeria’s diagnostic ecosystem.
He added that ongoing reforms at federal and sub-national levels were already advancing the integration of laboratory services.
“We are looking at innovations and local content, encouraging what is happening globally to also happen within Nigeria.
“A lot is already happening in the system. The next line of action is operationalisation and demonstrating that integration is the way to go,” he said.
Also speaking, the Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, represented by Dr Martins Joseph, said strong laboratory systems were central to national health security.
“Without prompt and accurate diagnostics there is no early warning signal, no effective disease surveillance and no precise patient management,” he said.
Ursu said collaboration between WHO and the ministry had strengthened Nigeria’s diagnostic policy and regulatory frameworks.
He said the partnership had supported the development of the National Medical Laboratory Services Policy and Strategic Plan.
Ursu added that guidelines for integration of laboratory services and health systems had also been developed to address fragmented programmes.
“These frameworks mandate a shift from fragmented vertical programmes toward a unified, integrated laboratory system,” he said.
According to him, WHO has also supported optimisation of Nigeria’s national diagnostic network to expand access to testing services.
“Our technical support has enhanced regulatory pre-qualification and validation capacity for in-vitro diagnostics,” he said.
Ursu said the organisation would continue supporting Nigeria to expand access to safe and affordable diagnostics nationwide.
He added that strengthening local manufacturing and optimising sample referral systems would reduce travel time and out-of-pocket costs for patients.
“In an era of dwindling global resources, Nigeria’s focus on local diagnostics production and resource alignment is essential,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the National Guideline for the Implementation of Medical Laboratory Quality Management System was also launched at the summit. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
