Guild tasks FG on local production of diagnostic reagents
The Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD) has tasked the Federal Government to put in place machinery for local production of diagnostic reagents, describing them as the backbone of modern medicine, essential for accurate diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.
The National President of the GMLD, Dr. Samuel Fele, said this at the 27th Annual Scientific Conference of the Medical Laboratory Directors held at the Afficent Event Centre, Kano on Wednesday.
He said that as a result of the ugly trend, billions of the country’s scarce foreign resources were being expended to import these materials which Nigeria had the knowledge, capacity and expertise to produce in the country.
“Year after year, billions of our scarce foreign resources are expended to import over 70% to 80% of these materials which we have the knowledge, capacity and expertise to produce in the country,” he said.
He said Nigeria needed to learn a lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic when flights were grounded, borders shut and our laboratories were left stranded unable to import necessary reagents for diagnosis.
“This is not just an economic issue alone, it is a matter of national security and survival. It exposes us to global supply chain disruptions as we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It undermines our economic sovereignty and limits opportunities for our Medical Laboratory Scientists, industries and entrepreneurs. So, how long shall we remain at the mercy of others for what we can produce ourselves?
“We have the wherewithal, knowledge, expertise and technical know-how needed as we do not need to re-invent the wheel; these reagents were once being massively produced in this country for local consumption in the 80s and early 90s.
“This is not a call for isolation from the global community but rather it is a call for self-reliance, sustainability and national pride, while remaining open to international cooperation,” he said.
He said that the 2025 theme “From Import Dependency to Indigenous Solutions: Strengthening Nigeria’s Diagnostic Sovereignty” promised to be a game changer in the approach and delivery of world standard medical laboratory service to Nigerians.
Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State, appreciated the GLMD for holding the conference in Kano stressing that it was the first time the conference was held in the core north.
Yusuf, represented by the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar labaran, expressed the government’s readiness to partner with the GLMD with a view to enhancing the provision of healthcare services in the state.
“We call on the Federal Government to create a gateway for the association to access special funds to upgrade the laboratories in the country,” he added.
