Nigeria Gets Discounted Diagnostics Equipment From China

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has concluded strategic engagements in China that resulted in a major discounted diagnostics deal.

According to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health on X Platform, during a working visit to PlusLife Diagnostics’ corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Guangzhou, the Minister secured a commitment for heavily discounted mass procurement of Point-of-Care (POC) diagnostic equipment for Tuberculosis and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) through the United Nations StopTB Global Drug Facility.

According to the statement, the agreement directly supports the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) to expand access to affordable diagnostics, eliminate catastrophic out-of-pocket spending, and unlock the healthcare value chain for long-term sustainability.

“In a significant boost to industrialisation, PlusLife also committed to establishing local manufacturing operations in Nigeria between 2026 and 2028 reinforcing the mounting investor confidence driven by the President’s reform policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda, “ the statement said.

Speaking on the deal, Pate said, “This is a transformational step toward decentralising diagnostics and expanding access to quality testing through our Primary Health Care system. With the significant cost advantage of PlusLife technology, we can stretch resources further to test more Nigerians and save more lives.”

Pate emphasised that the investment momentum is being directly catalysed by President Tinubu’s Executive Order removing all taxes and import duties on pharmaceutical raw materials, diagnostic equipment, vaccine production inputs, and related healthcare manufacturing lines.

“This Executive Order is not theory; it is already working. Global partners are responding because Nigeria has now become a viable market where innovation, manufacturing and value chain growth can thrive,” he said.

Speaking at the Sino-Africa Healthcare Cooperation Forum 2025 in Beijing, organised by the Embassy of Nigeria in collaboration with CEIBS, AFKMED and VCBeat, Pate reaffirmed that macroeconomic and health sector reforms are aligning health development with industrial policy, resulting in new manufacturing opportunities, sector efficiency, and sustainable economic expansion.

“Through strategic diplomacy and reform-backed policy execution, Nigeria is positioning itself as Africa’s emerging hub for diagnostic innovation, pharmaceutical manufacturing and health technology scale-up strengthening preparedness, expanding access to lifesaving care and driving the health sector as an economic growth engine,” the statement said.