Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on Chinese businessmen and other industrialists in Nigeria’s health sector to reduce the importation of medical equipment and instead establish production assembly plants within the country.
Kalu made this appeal when he received a delegation from Royal Meditech Equipment (Nig) Company Limited, led by its director, Gari Li, over the weekend in Abuja.
In a statement by his chief press secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu highlighted the federal government’s focus on health security through industrialization. He emphasized that the current economic climate in Nigeria does not favor heavy importation due to the challenges facing the Naira.
Kalu urged the company to consider setting up facilities in Nigeria to produce essential medical equipment like Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilators and feeding pumps, which would also create jobs for the unemployed.
“Our nation is currently pursuing health security through industrialization. This initiative stems from a post-COVID-19 analysis, which revealed our heavy dependence on imports for basic necessities. The current administration aims to prevent this by enhancing local support systems for our health infrastructure,” Kalu stated. “Organizations like yours should find reasons to build beyond small administrative units and establish facilities that enhance our health security.”
Gari Li, director of Royal Meditech Equipment (Nig) Company Limited, shared that their company has an international presence, with offices in China, South Beach, Miami (USA), Mexico City (Mexico), and Nairobi (Kenya). The company has been operating in Nigeria since 2010, with offices in Lagos, Kano, and Abuja, employing 14 Chinese and 98 Nigerians.
“We are involved in hospital building, equipping, and renovation. We don’t only sell; we also train doctors and provide sound warranties. We are working with over 700 hospitals in Nigeria, including nearly all federal hospitals, teaching hospitals, medical centers, and specialist hospitals,” Li explained.
“We collaborate with various state hospitals and ministries for solar energy projects. We aim to work with Your Excellency to improve and build modern hospitals, enhance health delivery, and bring more clean energy to Nigeria through solar products.”
