Colexa Biosensor, Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost in-vitro diagnostics manufacturing facility for blood glucose meters and strips, is taking part in a vital position within the accessibility of healthcare commodities for Nigerians. Based in 2023, Colexa Biosensor was established with the imaginative and prescient of localizing and growing a self-reliant healthcare trade, minimizing overseas trade calls for & dependence on imports, whereas producing {economic} advantages for the nation.
The impact of a healthcare system being reliant on importation was delivered to bear through the Covid- 19 pandemic, when accessing healthcare provides was extraordinarily troublesome for Africa.
Owing to such challenges confronted by African international locations, the WHO established the World Native Production Discussion board to form methods and foster partnerships to catalyze native production and know-how switch permitting taking part international locations to develop capabilities and to make sure the preparedness, responsiveness and functionality of the continent to deal with future emergency healthcare challenges.
This mission initiated by the WHO heralds a brand new period of innovation and self-sufficiency within the African healthcare panorama. As such, Codix Group, a participant throughout the sector arrange its manufacturing facility (Colexa Biosensor) to leverage this initiative to advance the reason for African healthcare self-reliance.
Colexa Biosensor has made vital strides in producing OnPoint, Nigeria’s 1st regionally manufactured blood glucose monitoring system, to fight the rising prevalence of diabetes within the nation.
Following the current announcement by the Hon. Minister for Well being and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, on the Federal Authorities’s procurement of OnPoint blood glucose monitoring system, the meters can be distributed throughout main healthcare facilities nationwide with the goal of empowering tens of millions of people residing with diabetes, with a regionally produced and inexpensive technique of monitoring their blood sugar ranges, bettering ease of entry, and efficient administration.
Notably, in December 2024, Colexa Biosensor acquired approval from the World Well being Group (WHO) to regionally package deal the WHO pre-qualified STANDARD Q HIV 1/2 Ab 3-Line Check, making it accessible for procurement by Nigeria and worldwide donor organizations. This achievement is the primary of its type in Africa and a testomony to the corporate’s willingness to realize and maintain high quality for Nigeria and the worldwide market.
The event presents a strategic benefit for well being sustainability, preserving the positive factors of well being funding in Nigeria and Africa at massive by bridging potential care gaps created by adjustments within the international panorama of well being help to the continent.
Regardless of being one of many main importers of healthcare options in Nigeria, the management of Codix Group has all the time been dedicated to the imaginative and prescient of the localization of healthcare manufacturing in Nigeria.
Mr. Sammy Ogunjimi, the Group Managing Director/CEO, emphasised the corporate’s dedication to Africa as he highlighted the aim of extending the impression of their options on the continent, making Nigeria a hub for in-vitro diagnostics.
This manufacturing facility aligns with the presidential initiative of unlocking the healthcare worth chain which focuses on stimulating native manufacturing, lowering the dependence on imports, and thereby lowering healthcare associated prices.
As a pioneer of this initiative in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, Colexa Biosensor is main a transformative impression throughout the healthcare worth chain. The corporate’s operations create alternatives for partnerships in analysis and improvement (R&D) to foster homegrown options whereas additionally addressing the abilities hole within the trade.
By means of collaborations with tutorial establishments resembling Olabisi Onabanjo College and the College of Lagos, Colexa helps to bridge the divide between tutorial information and sensible trade expertise, growing a pool of expert manpower for future job alternatives.
Moreover, the corporate’s dedication to native {economic} development extends to its provide chain, offering new enterprise alternatives for native corporations, together with logistics suppliers. With a rising ecosystem, Colexa is positioned to drive additional worth creation throughout the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
With Codix working throughout a number of international locations on the continent, together with Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, and Kenya to say just a few, Colexa Biosensor is poised to start out exporting its merchandise throughout West Africa and subsequently to the remainder of Africa.
Since its inception, Colexa Biosensor has acquired native and worldwide recognition from key stakeholders, together with, the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare, the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Worth Chain (PVAC), the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management (NAFDAC), Federal Ministry of Business, Commerce and Funding (FMITI), and the Presidential Enabling Enterprise Surroundings Council (PEBEC), worldwide improvement Companions like america Company for Worldwide Improvement (USAID) and different international donor organizations.
Written by Chidinma Onwumere – a author and well being fanatic in Lagos