Medical tests key to Nigeria’s health security, says FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has emphasized the importance of medical diagnostics as a crucial national asset. Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, highlighted the need for strengthening local production, quality assurance, and market development to minimize reliance on imported diagnostic products during the opening of the 28th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors in Abuja.

He stressed that accurate and timely diagnosis is vital for healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, and public health decisions.

Salako pointed out that achieving diagnostic sovereignty necessitates more than just local production; it requires technology transfer, research, effective regulation, sustainable procurement, and strategic partnerships. The National President of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, Dr Samuel Fele, called for ending Nigeria's heavy dependence on imported diagnostic reagents, consumables, and equipment by fostering a competitive local manufacturing industry.

He stressed that Nigeria should transition from a consumer of diagnostic technologies to a producer, ensuring the readiness of the end-to-end diagnostics ecosystem.

Fele expressed concerns about Nigeria's prolonged reliance on imported diagnostic products, which have resulted in missed opportunities for local employment and industrial development. He emphasized that Nigeria's in-vitro diagnostics market, valued at $1.33 billion in 2024, presents significant opportunities for local manufacturers.

However, he stressed that diagnostic sovereignty must not compromise quality, necessitating robust quality management systems, regulatory oversight, proficiency testing, and adherence to recognized standards.

Renowned virologist and Chairman of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, called for a viable market for locally manufactured medical diagnostics to sustain domestic production. He urged stakeholders to remove institutional barriers to domestic production and develop a market-ready industry. Tomori also highlighted the need to understand market demands and meet those needs effectively.

Keynote speaker, Dr Mustapha Gidado, Executive Director of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, stressed that diagnostic sovereignty should ultimately benefit patients. He argued that sovereignty and market readiness should not be final destinations, but rather steps towards improving patient outcomes. Gidado cautioned against lowering standards in the name of local production and advocated for a connected national diagnostic network to ensure efficient movement of patients, samples, and results across the healthcare system.