- … As FEC approves N12bn for medical gear
- … Ratifies African medicines treaty
Nigeria’s healthcare sector is gaining momentum, attracting sufferers from throughout Africa and even from nations just like the United States and the United Kingdom, as the federal government continues investing in important medical infrastructure and regulatory reforms.
The Coordinating Minister for Well being and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, disclosed this on Tuesday whereas briefing journalists on the State Home, Abuja, after the day of the Federal Government Council (FEC) presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Professor Pate additionally mentioned FEC accepted N12 billion for the procurement of main diagnostic gear, together with three MRI machines and two CT scanners, for six federal hospitals throughout the nation.
The Minister mentioned the funding would considerably enhance diagnostic capabilities in Nigeria’s healthcare services.
The hospitals set to obtain the brand new gear embody the College of Uyo Instructing Hospital in Akwa Ibom, the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Obafemi Awolowo College Instructing Hospital in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State, the Modibo Adama College Instructing Hospital in Yola, Adamawa State, and the Federal Instructing Hospital in Kebbi State.
“You may see that, piece by piece, we’re rebuilding our well being infrastructure. We aren’t simply enhancing primary healthcare on the frontline, but additionally strengthening our tertiary establishments with important gear”, Pate mentioned.
Pate highlighted that Nigeria’s rising healthcare capabilities had been already drawing worldwide sufferers.
“That is already occurring, together with folks from faraway locations like the UK and the US. Regardless of what we might wish to consider about Nigeria’s healthcare system, there are good issues occurring. The transformation that the President promised is starting to occur, and we have to maintain it”, the Minister mentioned.
In the meantime, Professor Pate mentioned the Council, in a landmark resolution with continental implications, additionally accepted Nigeria’s ratification of the African Medicines Company (AMA) Treaty.
The treaty, adopted by the African Union (AU) Heads of State in February 2019, is designed to reinforce regulatory oversight of medicines and prescription drugs throughout Africa.
He defined that 37 AU member states had signed the treaty, with 26 already ratifying it, and Nigeria was now set to comply with go well with.
The treaty goals to harmonize medical product laws, guaranteeing that medicines, vaccines, and medical units meet high-quality and security requirements throughout the continent.
This, he mentioned, would assist increase Nigeria’s pharmaceutical and medical merchandise trade, permitting for better commerce inside Africa.
“As we work arduous to industrialize medically, what we produce in Nigeria can have entry to those widespread requirements, primarily making ‘Made in Nigeria’ turn out to be ‘Made in Africa’ over time,” he mentioned.
Pate described the treaty ratification as a significant step in direction of self-sufficiency in medical merchandise, thanking President Tinubu for his management in shifting Nigeria towards a stronger, extra aggressive healthcare trade.