Lab scientists demand investment in local diagnostic production to cut imports

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, is calling for urgent reforms to curb Nigeria's heavy dependence on imported diagnostic products. At their 61st annual scientific conference, experts emphasized the need to strengthen the country's laboratory healthcare system by boosting local production capabilities.

The conference resolutions highlighted significant challenges, including funding shortages, weak local manufacturing capacity, regulatory gaps, and inadequate specialist training. A key concern is Nigeria's import of 95% to 99% of its in-vitro diagnostic products. This reliance makes the healthcare system vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, as noted by conference chairman Felix Ofungwu, who also stressed the importance of sustained investment in domestic manufacturing and genomic surveillance to combat infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

Experts also addressed the rapid adoption of digital health and artificial intelligence, calling for robust regulatory frameworks. The association urged the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria to enhance quality governance for point-of-care testing and establish sustainable funding for laboratory accreditation. They stressed that reliable diagnostic services are fundamental to effective healthcare delivery and disease management.

To tackle manpower shortages, the association advocated for expanded postgraduate training and mentorship programs for medical laboratory scientists. The discussions also touched upon the ethical integration of AI into laboratory practice, emphasizing that new technologies must be accompanied by appropriate regulation, quality control, and skilled personnel to ensure better health outcomes for Nigeria.

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The country’s heavy reliance on imports had exposed the healthcare system to vulnerabilities in the supply of essential diagnostic commodities.