Medical Experts Commend FG’s Proposed Ban On Importation Of Syringes And Needles

Medical practitioners in the country have commended the proposed move by the federal government to ban the importation of syringes and needles into the country.

The Minister of health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, had said that his ministry is working on a policy that would mandate government-owned health institutions to procure and use syringes manufactured in Nigeria.

The move was welcomed by a cross section of medical practitioners including Chief Medical Directors of government owned health institutions who spoke with our correspondent in the sidelines of the 94th Regular Meetings of CMDs/MDs of government health institutions which held at the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The Chief Medical director of the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi in Nasarawa State, Dr. Adamu Yahaya, said the ban on importation of syringes into the country will improve Nigeria’s capacity as a nation.

According to him, it’s a welcome development if the policy is implemented in the country.

He said, “It will be a welcome development because it is the only way we can improve our capacity as a nation and also encourage local production. It’s going to be in the best interest of our nation”.

Speaking in the same vein, the Head of Clinical Services Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Fedelis Ojeblenu, hailed the proposed policy saying it’s a nice decision by the federal government.

He said Nigeria has so many professionals in virtually all fields of human endeavours who are well trained, adding that it would be better if Nigeria could manufacture high quality syringes and needles for local consumption.

“Syringes and needles are precision instruments, the material needed must be of high quality. Nigeria has the capacity to manufacture high quality Syringes and Needles for local consumption. And going by what I have seen so far, I think we have the capacity because we have well trained professional in virtually all fields. All we need to do is to access fund and let the private sector come on board. We cannot be importing everything,” he said.

The Chief Medical director, FMC, Azaire, Bauchi State, Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim said as an executive order of the federal government, local content is something that Nigerians must patronise in terms of procurement processes.

“As an executive order of the President local content is something all Nigerians must patronise. The policy is about patronising local content in terms of procurement processes. It’s going to be a very nice idea and should be given priority,” he said.