Nigeria, China deepen health partnership on medical technology
Nigeria and China are set to deepen cooperation in healthcare, particularly in medical technology, hospital development, diagnostics, digital health, artificial intelligence, workforce development and local manufacturing.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, stated this on Friday while delivering Nigeria’s ministerial remarks at the 32nd China International Medical Equipment Exhibition and Scientific Conference (China-HOSPEQ 2026) at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing.
Salako said the conference’s focus on China-Africa hospital collaboration, artificial intelligence, appropriate technologies, capacity building and laboratory medicine aligned with Nigeria’s efforts to expand its health partnership with China beyond traditional trade relations.
He described China-HOSPEQ as more than an exhibition of medical equipment, saying it provided a platform for dialogue, innovation, knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships that could translate technological advancement into improved health outcomes.
The minister said the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was implementing reforms aimed at strengthening primary healthcare, improving access to affordable and quality healthcare, expanding diagnostic and specialised services, accelerating digital health transformation, strengthening the health workforce and promoting local production of medicines, medical devices and diagnostics.
According to him, achieving these objectives would require stronger institutions, sustainable financing, innovative technologies, skilled human resources and strategic international partnerships.
“For Nigeria, international platforms such as China-HOSPEQ provide valuable opportunities to identify technologies and innovations that are appropriate, affordable, scalable and responsive to our health-system needs,” Salako said.
He said Nigeria-China health cooperation had continued to expand, with opportunities in hospital development, medical technology, diagnostics, digital health, research, workforce development and local manufacturing.
