ABUJA — The Federal Government has moved to fast-track local production of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits and In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) in a bid to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported health commodities.
At a strategic review meeting held in Abuja at the weekend, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, chaired discussions with the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and Troment Biotechnology Limited.
The meeting reviewed progress on the operationalisation of a local manufacturing facility for affordable RDT kits and IVDs for malaria, tuberculosis and other priority diseases.
Prof. Pate said local manufacturing of diagnostics is critical to both economic growth and national health security.
“Local manufacturing of diagnostics is not just an economic priority; it is a health security imperative,” he said. “We are removing every bottleneck to accelerate production and deliver affordable test kits to Nigerians.”
To accelerate the project, the Minister directed the immediate processing of the Advance Purchase Guarantee (APG) Agreement. He also tasked the Ministry’s legal and technical teams to work with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, NASENI and Troment Biotechnology Limited to conclude all outstanding legal and administrative processes.
Regular implementation reviews were also ordered to ensure timely delivery.
The Coordinating Minister noted that expanding domestic manufacturing of essential health commodities remains a key priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Executive Order on Increasing Local Production of Healthcare Products.
He added that local production of RDT kits and IVDs will strengthen Nigeria’s health security, improve access to quality diagnostics, stimulate industrial growth, and create skilled employment opportunities.
About PVAC
The Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) is a Federal Government reform programme aimed at strengthening local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices, diagnostics, and other health products. It seeks to reduce import dependence, attract private investment, create jobs, and position Nigeria as a regional hub for healthcare manufacturing.
FG Accelerates Local Production of RDT Kits for Malaria, TB to Boost Health Security
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