Nigeria's Health Sector: How Technology Is Reshaping the Future (International Edition)
The pain endured by Africans during the recent pandemic remains vivid. The outbreak of COVID-19 unveiled significant weaknesses within the health infrastructure throughout Nigeria and Africa—particularly the acute lack and accessibility of crucial medical equipment. As the disease swept through the region, hospitals encountered extraordinary difficulties in obtaining key resources such as personal protective gear, respirators, diagnostic kits, and medicines. Strained international supply networks coupled with heightened needs led numerous Nigerians and Africans to struggle with shortages of essential drugs and fundamental medical items.
Due to the difficulties encountered by nations in Africa, the World Health Organization set up the World Local Production Forum. Its aim was to devise strategies and encourage collaborations aimed at boosting local manufacturing and technological transfers. By doing so, this initiative enabled member countries to build their capacities and secure the readiness, adaptability, and proficiency of the continent for addressing upcoming public health emergencies. The WHO’s endeavor marks a significant shift towards inventive autonomy within the African healthcare sector. Consequently, there has been an organized push from different sectors working together with the objective of ensuring better health outcomes for Africans via advancements in technology.
Over the past few years, medical technology has rapidly grown as a significant component of global healthcare. Nevertheless, Nigeria appears to lag behind in this aspect. Statistics from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries indicate that approximately 99 percent of medical equipment and more than 70 percent of generic medications are imported into the nation. Various diagnostic instruments used for monitoring illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure are produced abroad, which means each time these items are purchased, Nigerian consumers contribute directly to foreign economies. This situation highlights a substantial deficiency and underscores the critical necessity for enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities within Nigeria to ensure consistent availability of essential healthcare supplies.
In Nigeria, non-communicable diseases stand out as the primary cause of mortality, with around 3.7 percent of adults suffering from diabetes—many without diagnosis, thus remaining oblivious to potential severe complications and risks linked to their condition. Proper management of such ailments is crucial for improving overall well-being. Acknowledging this challenge, the Nigerian government has initiated actions aimed at reshaping the country's healthcare environment. Spearheaded by the Coordinating Minister of Health under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Presidential Initiative for Unleashing the Healthcare Value Chain was established as a pivotal component. This program signifies an essential transition towards greater autonomy in healthcare through increased national funding, encouragement of indigenous production, and enhancement of vital medical facilities. Its aim is to lessen reliance on imported goods and establish a strong domestic industry equipped to cater to the nation’s healthcare demands.
Recently, a major step forward in this initiative was marked by the endorsement of a healthcare assistance program aimed at reducing the expenses associated with vital medicinal products. An important aspect of this plan involves acquiring an OnPoint blood glucose monitoring device for diabetic patients, which will be produced domestically by Colexia Biosensor, a firm headquartered in Lagos and licensed to manufacture diagnostic testing equipment.
Significantly, this initiative represents the inaugural factory in Nigeria and all of Sub-Saharan Africa dedicated to producing blood glucose monitors and test strips. The government plans to acquire these devices for deployment at various primary health centers nationwide. This development advances diabetes management and signifies an important milestone in Nigeria’s push toward healthcare industrialization. Through emphasizing domestic production of diagnostic equipment, authorities demonstrate their dedication to nurturing indigenous ingenuity and fortifying the national healthcare system. Notably, Nigerian entrepreneur Sammy Ogunjimi has spearheaded the creation of Colexa Biosensor’s manufacturing site, which plays a key role in executing the localization and backward integration policies advocated by the administration.
As we progress, do you think homegrown diagnostic tests could become the norm—not only for diabetes but also for HIV and other vital health issues? This marks an important step towards boosting Nigeria’s capability to produce medical technology, which would improve access to cost-effective care. I urge Colexa Biosensor to focus on making their product, OnPoint, widely available across Nigeria.
•Chidinma Onwumere, an advocate of wellness, contributes from Lagos
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).