The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria (HEPAN) have resolved to deepen collaboration to strengthen standards, regulatory compliance and safety in Nigeria’s medical devices and healthcare equipment sector.
The resolution was reached during a strategic engagement between both organisations held in Abuja. The Director-General and Chief Executive of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, was represented at the meeting by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, while the HEPAN delegation was led by its President, Dr. Ifeanyi Nwankwo.
HEPAN proposed collaboration with SON on joint campaigns against substandard and counterfeit medical devices, product traceability, capacity building, information sharing and market surveillance.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to clarify the complementary regulatory responsibilities of SON and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in the medical devices sector. SON emphasised that its mandate centres on standards development and conformity assessment, while NAFDAC is responsible for the safety assessment of regulated products.
HEPAN members were encouraged to participate actively in SON’s technical committees to contribute to the development and review of relevant standards for medical devices and healthcare equipment.
Both organisations agreed to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), establish a joint working committee, organise capacity-building and training programmes, and maintain regular stakeholder engagement.
Other SON officials at the meeting included Mohammed Tetengi, Esq.; Mr. Yunusa Mohammed; Mr. Stephen Attahiru; Engr. John Francis; and Mrs. Uduak Udoso. The HEPAN delegation included its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Falaki; BOT Member, Senator Dr. Eze Ajoku; Bethrand Ekwedu; Dr. Chi Iwuamadi; and Dr. O. Anyanwu.
The partnership is expected to enhance regulatory compliance, strengthen market surveillance, curb the circulation of substandard and counterfeit medical devices, improve product traceability and ultimately promote patient safety across Nigeria.