HFN: Expertise, infrastructure financing to support local manufacturing of essential medicine

The President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria, Dr. Pamela Ajayi, emphasized the importance of expertise and infrastructure financing to support the local manufacturing of essential medicine in Nigeria. Speaking to CNBC Africa at the 10th anniversary of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and 2025 annual Conference, Dr. Ajayi highlighted the need for dialogue between the government, private sector, and healthcare industry stakeholders to enhance universal health coverage in the country. Dr. Ajayi described the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria as the umbrella body for the private sector, focusing on supporting the achievement of universal health coverage through private sector activation. She outlined the vision of the organization, which centers on promoting access, affordability, and most importantly, quality healthcare. Dr. Ajayi stressed the significance of improving standards and quality in healthcare, pointing out that public-private partnerships and innovation, particularly in the digital space, are crucial to realizing this goal. The President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria underscored the role of the annual conference as a vital platform for engagement within the private sector, facilitating discussions and exchanges between industry stakeholders, government officials, and private sector representatives. Dr. Ajayi noted that the conference has emerged as one of the leading events in the Nigerian medical sector, focusing on promoting sustainability and advancements in Nigerian healthcare. Dr. Ajayi highlighted the positive developments in Nigerian healthcare, citing the increasing number of individuals opting to receive healthcare services within the country, including those returning from abroad. She mentioned the establishment of several centers of excellence in fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, and fertility care, attracting patients not only from Nigeria but also from other West African countries and the Nigerian diaspora. The President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria emphasized the importance of building on past engagements and partnerships over the last decade to address the evolving needs of the healthcare sector. Dr. Ajayi stressed the necessity of public-private partnerships and collaboration with the government to ensure that policies support the growth of the private sector, particularly in the area of local manufacturing. Dr. Ajayi raised the critical issue of Nigeria's reliance on imported healthcare products and the need to bolster local production capabilities to prevent supply chain disruptions experienced during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlighted the urgency of investing in infrastructure and expertise to drive the local manufacturing of essential medicine in Nigeria. In response to concerns about the quality of investments in the healthcare sector, Dr. Ajayi expressed confidence in Nigeria's potential to emerge as a healthcare hub in West Africa and on the global stage. She acknowledged the challenges posed by high-interest rates on funding and emphasized the importance of long-term financing for sustainable healthcare development. Dr. Ajayi also discussed the efforts to expand insurance coverage in the healthcare sector to create a more conducive environment for investment and growth. As the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria continues to advocate for greater public-private collaboration and investment in local manufacturing, Dr. Ajayi remains optimistic about Nigeria's prospects in the healthcare industry, urging stakeholders to seize the opportunity to strengthen the country's healthcare infrastructure and capabilities.