FG Intensifies Local Production of Malaria, TB Test Kits to Boost Healthcare
By Nafiu Muhammad Lema
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to produce Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits locally as part of measures to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare manufacturing sector, improve access to quality diagnostic services, and reduce reliance on imported medical products.
The renewed drive was announced after a strategic review meeting chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and Troment Biotechnology Limited.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health on Sunday, the meeting assessed progress on establishing a local manufacturing facility for affordable RDT kits and In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) for malaria, tuberculosis, and other priority diseases.
Participants reviewed implementation milestones, addressed pending issues, and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to accelerating local production in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on increasing local production of healthcare products.
Prof. Pate described domestic production of diagnostic tools as essential to Nigeria’s health security, stressing that the government is removing obstacles to ensure affordable test kits become readily available to Nigerians.
To speed up the project, the minister directed the immediate processing of the Advance Purchase Guarantee Agreement and instructed 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.
He also ordered regular implementation reviews to ensure timely completion of the manufacturing facility.
The minister noted that expanding local production of essential healthcare commodities remains a key priority under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the initiative will improve access to quality diagnostics, strengthen Nigeria’s health security, reduce dependence on imports, stimulate industrial growth, and create skilled jobs.
Rapid Diagnostic Test kits are commonly used for the quick detection of diseases such as malaria, while In-Vitro Diagnostics are laboratory-based tests that support disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and clinical decision-making.
Nigeria has long depended on imported diagnostic kits, a challenge that became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when disruptions in global supply chains affected access to critical medical products.
