By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
The National President of Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria, HEPAN, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwankwo has stressed the need for high quality and global standard in the provision of healthcare equipment and allied products.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of HEPAN, Onitsha Zone, held in Awka, Dr. Nwankwo noted that the quality of healthcare equipment affects the quality of clinical services rendered by the clinicians, adding that the providers of these vital tools should be honest, knowledgeable and organised for the safety of patients.
He noted that the objectives of HEPAN are to provide a platform for dialogue, negotiations and relationship between the healthcare devices providers and the government regulatory agencies with other related associations in the health sector; to minimize importation of substandard and inferior devices in Nigeria; to protect and safeguard the healthcare equipment business in Nigeria against foreign agents and unwholesome attitude of some heads of government health institutions.
The HEPAN National President also observed that misconception of the intentions and objectives of the promoters as well as lack of long term perspective are the key challenges facing the association, adding that high cost and process of product registration; conflicting regulations by NAFDAC and SON; negative balance of healthcare equipment; prolonged debt by government health institutions; and lack of protection for indigenous healthcare business have continued to mar the progress of the association.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Host of the event, Chief Damian Onyekachi, who is also the Board of Trustees’ Secretary, HEPAN, warmly welcomed the national and regional officers for coming to inaugurate the Onitsha zone, comprising Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Joe Akabuike who is the Chief Medical Director, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, COOUTH, while speaking on “Diagnostic Errors: Understanding the Role of Medical Devices, their Contributions and Consequences” noted that misdiagnosis starts with the Healthcare devices providers, delayed diagnosis and incorrect diagnosis.
Dr. Akabuike noted that human factors, such as fatigue, cognitive bias and over-confidence on the part of the clinician; systemic and patient-related factors; and medical devices such as fake or faulty medical equipment could lead to diagnostic errors and called for a strong regulation of healthcare equipment.
The event climaxed with the inauguration of the six-man interim management team who are to serve for a period of one year. They include: Chief Damian Onyekachi as the Chairman; Mr. Oliver Ugwu: Coordinator; Dr. Ibe Ibe Ugbu: Secretary; Mr. Ahubaraezeama Obidigbo: PRO. Others were Dr. I.G. Ekenechukwu and Dr. Humphrey Obiefule.
Delivering his acceptance speech, the interim Chairman, HEPAN, Onitsha zone, Chief Damian Onyekachi observed that health is life before wealth, and assured that his management team will ensure that standard and other rules must be enforced.
In their goodwill messages, the BOT chairman, HEPAN, Alhaji Mustapha Folaki, represented by Chief Jonathan Ugwu; the HEPAN Chairman, Lagos State, Chief C. C. Obi; the Vice Chairman, NMA, Anambra State, Dr. Ndubisi Arua; the Anambra State Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, AMSCN, Mr. Victor Ofoegbu and his Enugu State counterpart, Comrade Eddy Ohaekweiro; as well as the Chairman, Guild of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Sir Henry Iloegbu congratulated the newly inaugurated zone while reiterating the need for the right standard products to be made available for the users to buy.
In a vote of thanks, the Regional Vice President, East, Dr. Humphrey Obiefule expressed gratitude to the national President for his exemplary leadership and appreciated all who contributed to the success of the event.
