Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on Chinese businessmen and other industrialists operating in Nigeria’s health sector to reduce the importation of medical equipment and consider establishing assembly plants for production within the country.
Hon. Kalu made this appeal during a meeting with a delegation from Royal Meditech Equipments (Nig.) Company Limited, led by its director, Gari Li, over the weekend in Abuja.
Hon. Kalu emphasised that the federal government is currently pursuing a health security programme through industrialisation.
He noted that the current economic situation in Nigeria, marked by the challenges facing the naira, does not support extensive importation of goods and services.
He urged the company to consider establishing a facility in Nigeria to produce Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilators, feeding pumps, and other essential machines, highlighting that this initiative would also create job opportunities for the unemployed.
Hon. Kalu stated, “Our nation is currently pursuing health security through industrialization. This idea happens to be an outcome of the post-COVID analysis, where the dependence of our country was hinged on the provisions of other countries. We noticed that basic things were not locally sourced. Most of them were sourced across the borders.”
He further explained that the current administration is focusing on policies that will increase indigenous support systems for the country’s health structures. Hon. Kalu expressed satisfaction that Royal Meditech has been operating in Nigeria since 2010 and experienced the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic firsthand.
He encouraged the company to develop a long-term or mid-term plan to establish a facility in Nigeria for assembling and manufacturing medical equipment, such as ICU ventilators, feeding pumps, and oxygen concentrators.
Hon. Kalu noted that this would not only support Nigeria’s health security but also create job opportunities and leverage the country’s growing population.
He added, “The federal government just approved a significant amount of funding to support manufacturing in the health sector.
“Through strategic partnerships between indigenous companies and foreign partners, we can build manufacturing outfits here, which the government is currently supporting.
“So, since you have the technology, bring it down to Africa; bring it here. The population is here, and it’s increasing. The beauty of you doing it here is that it will create jobs.”
“It is more accessible, and by doing it here, which is the biggest market in Africa, you can leverage the African trade agreement that is opening up the corridors in the continent for us to have intra-trade among ourselves. I would like you to consider that in your energy company or interest as well,” Hon. Kalu stated.
He also urged the company to take advantage of Nigeria’s substantial lithium deposits, which are of commercial quantity, to build companies for solar systems and other applications.
“We have significant lithium deposits as a solid mineral. Oftentimes, this is exported to China or elsewhere. We can process it here and use it to build components for solar systems, like batteries. This proximity to raw materials will provide a comparative advantage by reducing production costs,” Hon. Kalu added.
He emphasised the need for a midterm and long-term goal to ensure health security and sustainable trade. “The short-term goal is to ensure safety in healthcare. The trading aspect of it, I’m sure, is what you are projecting. Yes, we can work with you on a short-term basis, but it’s not sustainable over the long term. We will appreciate your presence in the market. Think about it when you go.”
Earlier, the Director of Royal Meditech Equipments (Nig) Company Limited, Gari Li, informed the Deputy Speaker that their company has an international presence, with offices in China, South Beach (Miami), the US, Mexico City, and Nairobi, Kenya.
He explained that the company has been in Nigeria since 2010, with offices in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, employing 14 Chinese and 98 Nigerian staff members across these locations.
“We are involved in hospital building, equipping, and renovation. We don’t only sell; we also train doctors and offer sound warranties. We work with over 700 hospitals in Nigeria, including nearly all federal hospitals, teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, and specialist hospitals.
“We also collaborate with many state hospitals. Currently, we are working with various ministries on solar projects and with numerous organisations in both the government and private sectors in Nigeria.
“We want to join hands with Your Excellency to build more modern hospitals and improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Additionally, we aim to bring more power to Nigeria through clean energy solar products,” he said.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEÂ
