The Federal Government of Nigeria has underscored the imperative of integrating diagnostic services into the nation's healthcare framework to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and bolster health outcomes for its citizens. This emphasis was articulated during the inaugural National Summit on Diagnostics held in Abuja, where stakeholders convened to deliberate on strategies for harmonizing and standardizing diagnostic services across all healthcare levels.

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare

Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, highlighted that accurate and accessible diagnostics are vital for disease detection, treatment planning, and patient monitoring. He cautioned that without a robust diagnostic framework, achieving the nation's healthcare objectives, including the four pillars of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, would be challenging. He stated, "Without a strong diagnostic framework, our healthcare goals, including the four pillars of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, would be difficult to achieve."

The summit, themed "Unlocking Healthcare Value Chains and Improving Universal Health Coverage through Integrated Diagnostic Services," served as a platform for discussing the elimination of fragmentation in diagnostic services. Dr. Salako emphasized the need to improve efficiency and optimize resource utilization to ensure wider access to quality diagnostics, particularly in underserved communities. He remarked, "We must eliminate fragmentation, improve efficiency, and optimize resource utilization to ensure wider access to quality diagnostics, especially in underserved communities."

Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Salako stressed the importance of a resilient diagnostic system that meets routine healthcare needs and enhances national health security and pandemic preparedness. He advocated for better integration of diagnostic services within the healthcare value chain to improve patient outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs. He noted, "A resilient diagnostic system is crucial not only for routine healthcare needs but also for enhancing our national health security and pandemic preparedness."

The minister underscored the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, a strategic element of the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at boosting local healthcare manufacturing, reducing medical tourism, creating jobs, and conserving foreign exchange. He urged stakeholders, including government agencies, international partners, private sector entities, and professional bodies, to collaborate in expanding diagnostic services by leveraging multiple technologies. Dr. Salako called for "teamwork, mutual respect, and professional cooperation to ensure high-quality healthcare delivery."

In his keynote address, Professor Oyewale Tomori, a renowned virologist and former vice-chancellor of Redeemer’s University, highlighted the need for sustainable public health infrastructure. He argued that building laboratories alone is insufficient without continuous funding, staffing, and resources. Professor Tomori urged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to focus more on research and prevention rather than solely on diagnostics, questioning why only a fraction of suspected disease cases are confirmed. He advocated for strengthening local laboratory systems to improve disease detection and response. He stated, "Building labs alone is not enough without continuous funding, staffing, and resources."

Professor Tomori called for decentralizing diagnostics, citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a model where local governments handle basic testing. He emphasized that Nigeria must empower state and local laboratories to reduce dependence on the NCDC. He also stressed the role of private industry, researchers, and citizens in strengthening healthcare, urging the government to create an enabling environment for private-sector investment and calling on citizens to demand better healthcare. He highlighted the need for scientists and communication experts to collaborate in making research impactful. He remarked, "We must empower states and local labs to reduce dependence on the NCDC."

In a related development, Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emphasized that proper diagnosis is the bedrock of quality healthcare delivery. Speaking at the commissioning of the Diamond Centre in Lagos, she highlighted that collaborations across sectors and borders are necessary to drive innovation, share knowledge, and improve patient outcomes. She stated, "Proper diagnosis is the bedrock of quality healthcare delivery to achieve health and wellness for all Nigerians."

The Nigerian government's renewed commitment to integrating diagnostic services into the healthcare delivery system marks a significant step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. By addressing fragmentation, enhancing efficiency, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the nation aims to build a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting routine needs and responding effectively to future health emergencies.