9 hours Ago By Guardian Nigeria
In a significant advancement for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, the Lagos State government has officially commissioned the O-Care Disposable Syringe Factory, Nigeria’s first facility dedicated to the production of disposable syringes. Established by Transgreen Nigeria Limited, the commissioning of the O-Care Disposable Syringe Factory marked an important milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of self-sufficiency in medical consumable manufacturing. With a production capacity of 750,000 syringes per day, the factory is expected to significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imports, ensuring a stable supply of essential medical consumables.
Also, the facility is set to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, boosting industrial growth and economic development in Lagos state.Remarking on Transgreen’s transformation from a leading manufacturer of CDs and DVDs to a producer of essential medical devices and also highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations, the Managing Director of Transgreen Nigeria, Cyprian Orakpo, noted that the company became the first in Nigeria to produce medical face masks, addressing urgent supply chain disruption during the crisis. He explained that the launch of the O-Care Disposable Syringes represented another pivotal step towards achieving medical self-sufficiency.
Orakpo appealed to the Lagos state government to support local manufacturers by prioritising the procurement of Nigerian-made medical products for public healthcare facilities. He stated that though there has been immense progress, a lot of challenges are still being faced by local manufacturers in the country, calling for urgent attention. He mentioned challenges such as limited access to capital, high electricity costs, burdensome taxation and the presence of illegal toll collectors, commonly known as ‘agberos’ who hamper industrial activities.
He said: “Our facility in Amuwo Odofin is state-of-the-art, designed to produce high-quality, sterile syringes that meet our vision of becoming a world-class manufacturer of medical consumables that will be the preferred choice of all stakeholders by 2032. “With sustained support from both the public and private sectors, the O-Care facility is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare delivery, reducing costs, and improving medical outcomes for millions of Nigerians.” The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, applauded Transgreen Nigeria for its innovative approach and resilience in promoting local production within the state.
He stated that the Lagos State government remains committed to fostering industrial development and ensuring a supportive business environment for manufacturers. The Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, who was represented by Opaluwa John, highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to bolstering local medical manufacturing. He announced various incentives aimed at supporting this sector, including increased tariffs on imported syringes, tax reliefs for manufacturers and import duty waivers on machinery to stimulate domestic production.
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