The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has advocated for a complete prohibition on the importation of needles and syringes to stimulate local production and bolster the nation’s economy.
Alausa made this call during his visit to the Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited Syringe factory in Ogun State, as stated in a press release signed by Sayo Akintola, the Resident Media Consultant of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Sunday.
Accompanied by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Doris Uzo-Anite, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, among others, Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing essential support to the local manufacturing sector to enhance its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.
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He emphasized that the reorganization of syringe and needle production in Nigeria aims to ensure the availability of high-quality products manufactured domestically, fostering significant employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Alausa urged NAFDAC to prevent unchecked importation of syringes from impeding the growth of the local industry through unfair competition. He stated, “Don’t give them any more authorization to import. We need to protect the local industry through the backward integration model aimed at enhancing the local capacity.”
In her remarks, NAFDAC DG Adeyeye stressed the necessity for a collaborative approach among relevant government agencies to tackle the issue of substandard and counterfeit medical devices entering the country through ports.
She disclosed that the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) has been instructed to support local syringe manufacturers to create job opportunities by expanding the operations of Nigerian manufacturing companies.
Adeyeye also mentioned that the last import order was issued to NPHCDA in December 2023, indicating the government’s commitment to promoting local manufacturing.
Mofid Karameh, Chairman of Mikano International, the parent company of Afrimedical Manufacturing and Supplies Limited, expressed the company’s dedication to revolutionizing the industry with the goal of re-establishing Nigeria as the leading hub for medical supplies in Africa.
Akin Oyediran, Managing Director of Afrimedical, highlighted the company’s plans to produce high-quality syringes not only for Nigeria but also for neighboring countries.
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