Lab scientists demand investment in local diagnostic production to cut imports

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Lagos State Chapter, has urged the government to invest in local diagnostic production to decrease Nigeria's reliance on imported medical products. During the association's 61st yearly scientific conference, 10 resolutions were adopted to tackle challenges faced by the diagnostic sector.

Key issues include funding shortages, weak local manufacturing capacity, regulatory gaps, and inadequate specialist training. A major resolution calls for a phased national strategy to produce diagnostic products locally, as Nigeria currently imports 95-99% of its in-vitro diagnostic products. The conference chairman, Felix Ofungwu, emphasized the need for sustained investment in domestic manufacturing and genomic surveillance due to ongoing infectious disease threats and antimicrobial resistance.

The AMLSN also urged regulatory bodies to strengthen quality governance for point-of-care testing and establish sustainable funding for laboratory accreditation. Concerns were raised about the lack of a unified Digital Health Act and the ethical integration of artificial intelligence into laboratory practice.