The Federal Government says it is prioritizing 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 the three-day National Summit on Diagnostics on Tuesday in Abuja.
The summit is themed: “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 includes the 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 the 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 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 remains a national priority.
He added that the ministry is 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 the availability of priority tests across all levels of care,” he said.
Salako said the government is also strengthening laboratory networks, improving quality assurance systems and expanding workforce development.
He emphasized that partnerships with development partners, the private sector and research institutions are 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 operationalize reforms within the health sector.
“The mandate aligns with prioritizing the health sector in Nigeria and demonstrating that through partnership we can strengthen our health system,” he said.
Emeka said the summit focuses on promoting innovation, local production and integration within Nigeria’s diagnostic ecosystem.
He added that ongoing reforms at federal and sub-national levels are 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 operationalize and demonstrating that integration is the way to go,” he said.
Also speaking, the Country Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria, Dr Pavel Ursu, represented by Dr Martins Joseph, said strong laboratory systems are 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 has strengthened Nigeria’s diagnostic policy and regulatory frameworks.
He said the partnership supported the development of the National Medical Laboratory Services Policy and Strategic Plan.
Ursu added that guidelines for the integration of laboratory services and health systems had also been developed to address fragmented programmes.
“These frameworks mandate a shift from fragmented vertical programmes towards a unified, integrated laboratory system,” he said.
According to him, WHO has also supported the optimization of Nigeria’s national diagnostic network to expand access to testing services.
“Our technical support has enhanced regulatory prequalification and validation capacity for in-vitro diagnostics,” he said.
Ursu said the organization would continue supporting Nigeria to expand access to safe and affordable diagnostics nationwide.
He added that strengthening local manufacturing and optimizing 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.
It was reported that the National Guideline for the Implementation of the Medical Laboratory Quality Management System was also launched at the summit.
