The Federal Government has warned against the use of substandard medical equipment, devices, and reagents in government-owned hospitals and health institutions.
It said the availability of appropriate infrastructure and quality medical devices and diagnostics is critical to ensuring quality healthcare delivery to Nigerians.
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, stated this at the commissioning of the national secretariat of the Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria (HEPAN) in Abuja.
“To improve population health outcomes, the right diagnosis is important, which depends on appropriate technological aids as provided by organisations,” Salako said.
“I invite HEPAN to rise to the challenge of downtimes in our health facilities through training and partnership with service users. The journey towards achieving zero use of substandard medical equipment, devices, and reagents requires your full and undiluted commitment,” he added.
He said the event signified the association’s readiness to contribute to the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), anchored on better governance, access to effective healthcare services, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security.
Salako stressed that unlocking the health value chain through medical industrialisation is particularly relevant to organisations like HEPAN, adding that their support is crucial in advancing the agenda of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
He said the Presidential Executive Order of June 2024, which eliminated tariffs, import duties, VAT, and other taxes on vital raw materials, presents a good opportunity for HEPAN members to promote local production.
Speaking at the event, HEPAN President, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwankwo, said the association would ensure that henceforth, no fake or substandard medical equipment is imported into the country.
He added that one of the best ways to curb such importation is by creating a platform like HEPAN, where stakeholders can regularly engage and agree on best practices.