At the 28th Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, highlighted that accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, and public health decisions.
Represented by Dr. Emeka Elom, the Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Salako stressed that achieving diagnostic sovereignty requires more than just local production; it necessitates technology transfer, research, and strategic partnerships.
The National President of the Guild, Dr. Samuel Fele, urged a shift away from dependence on imported diagnostic reagents and consumables. He pointed out that Nigeria must build a competitive local manufacturing industry capable of serving both domestic and broader African markets.
Fele noted that the theme of the conference, “From Diagnostic Sovereignty to Market Readiness: Building Nigeria’s End-to-End Diagnostics Ecosystem,” serves as a call to action for all stakeholders involved in the healthcare sector.
The African in-vitro diagnostics market, valued at $1.33 billion in 2024, presents significant opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers, Fele added, emphasizing that quality must not be compromised in the pursuit of local production.
Prof. Oyewale Tomori, Chairman of Biovaccines Nigeria Limited, echoed the need for a viable market for locally manufactured diagnostics to ensure sustainable production. He emphasized that understanding market needs is essential for successfully meeting them.
Dr. Mustapha Gidado, Executive Director of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, highlighted that diagnostic sovereignty should ultimately benefit patients, advocating for a connected national diagnostic network for efficient movement of patients, samples, and results.
The conference also discussed the need for stronger quality management systems, regulatory oversight, and compliance with established standards to support local production efforts.
Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor shared insights from an investigation into mysterious deaths in Edo, which underscored the critical role of medical laboratories in identifying infectious diseases and responding to public health threats.
As Nigeria seeks to bolster its diagnostic capabilities, stakeholders are urged to move from discussions to actionable solutions, ensuring that the country is not merely a consumer of medical technologies, but a producer as well.
The discussions at the conference aim to pave the way for a robust diagnostic ecosystem that enhances healthcare security and prepares Nigeria for future public health challenges.
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