The Federal Government has called on the private sector to take a stronger role in advancing Nigeria's health system by investing in local production, standardisation, and maintenance of medical equipment.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, made the call at the commissioning of the national secretariat of the Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria (HEPAN) in Abuja.
Dr. Salako said the initiative aligns with the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which focuses on improving governance, access to care, and health security through industrialisation of the health sector.
He urged HEPAN members to drive growth within the health value chain by ensuring that only certified and calibrated equipment are used in hospitals across the country.
"The journey towards achieving zero use of substandard medical equipment and reagents requires your full and undiluted commitment," he said, stressing that accurate diagnosis and treatment depend on reliable and well-maintained medical technologies.
Salako noted that Nigeria's drive for self-reliance in medical technology production is supported by the Presidential Executive Order of June 28, 2024, which removed tariffs, import duties, and VAT on key raw materials — a move expected to boost local manufacturing.
The Minister commended HEPAN's leadership for promoting standards and quality assurance in healthcare delivery, assuring that the government will continue to foster partnerships with the private sector to expand domestic production and strengthen universal health coverage.
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Also speaking, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, said the launch of the HEPAN secretariat marks a major milestone for quality healthcare delivery in the FCT and beyond.
She emphasised that standardisation in calibration and equipment sourcing remains critical to accurate medical outcomes, adding that "results from medical tests drive the kind of treatment and drugs patients receive."
Represented by Pharmacist Boniface Ikwu, Fasawe pledged the FCTA's continued collaboration with HEPAN to promote quality assurance and regulatory compliance in the medical equipment sector.
The Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), FCT Chapter, Musa Wazani, said HEPAN's work will help reduce medical tourism and ensure that only certified devices are used across healthcare facilities.
HEPAN President, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwankwo, explained that the association was formed to eliminate the importation of substandard devices through self-regulation and peer accountability.
He added that every member must pledge not to import fake or low-quality products, warning that any violator would be permanently expelled. Nwankwo further revealed that HEPAN members are now shifting toward local manufacturing, with new factories expected to open in Port Harcourt and Anambra soon.
According to him, "the best way to stop the importation of fake medical devices is through internal control. Any external body cannot do that — we know our members."
Experts say strengthening local production and quality standards could save the country billions in foreign exchange spent on medical imports while boosting jobs and innovation in Nigeria's health technology sector.
