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FG through the Honourable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has advocated for a complete halt in the importation of medical syringes into Nigeria, as part of efforts to enhance the nation’s economy and stimulate local production.
This call was emphasized during a recent visit by the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, to the Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory located in Ogun State.
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The visit aimed to address the prevalent challenge of substandard medical device imports and promote domestic manufacturing.
Rationale Behind the Ban on Syringe Imports:
Dr. Alausa underscored the government’s steadfast commitment to boosting local industries, emphasizing the need to rejuvenate medical tools manufacturing within Nigeria to ensure the availability of high-quality products and facilitate job creation.
Prof. Adeyeye reaffirmed the Agency’s determination to cease issuing import authorizations for medical tools, redirecting focus toward local manufacturers while collaborating with them to enhance production standards.
While acknowledging potential initial cost implications associated with locally manufactured medical tools, Prof. Adeyeye stressed that scaling up production volumes would inevitably lead to price reductions over time.
This initiative not only ensures stringent quality control but also reinforces the nation’s capacity for self-sufficiency in essential healthcare supplies, aligning with broader efforts to promote Nigeria’s economic interests.
Key Takeaways:
The decision to ban syringe imports in Nigeria follows previous warnings issued by the NAFDAC DG to customs agents regarding the influx of imported medical tools, despite high import duties aimed at safeguarding the local market.
