Healthcare delivery received a boost on Tuesday in Kwara with the inauguration of a Medication and Intravenous (IV) Fluid Manufacturing complex worth $15 million.

An indigenous firm, HMA Medical Ltd, established the factory at Ogbondoroko in the Asa Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Damilola Shittu, the Executive Director of the company, said on the occasion that it has the capacity to produce over 500 million syringes and over 1 billion needles per annum.

He stated that the first phase of the project has the capacity to produce 60,000 liters per day of different formulations of IV fluids and medication, using best practices and adhering to global standards.

“Presently our group employs about 1,000 people directly. Our five-year plan has a potential of employing about 2,000 more Nigerians directly while attracting over $100 million in foreign direct investment,” he said.

Shittu explained that the group is creating a value chain in the pharmaceutical industry.

He observed that Nigeria imports all her vaccines, the majority of medications, and almost all medical devices and equipment consumed by the citizenry despite having a vast amount of raw materials available locally.

“Our vision is to make Nigeria a hub for Sterile Medical Devices, Fluid, and Medication in Africa,” he said.

Mrs. Roselyn Ajayi, the South West Coordinator of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), confirmed that the company had complied with all necessary requirements of the agency.

She stated that NAFDAC was committed to encouraging and mentoring local pharmaceutical outfits on manufacturing medical consumables for the country.

In his remark, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll, the Oni of Ife, commended the establishment of the pharmaceutical company, saying it will bring more development to the community, state, and the nation as a whole.

According to him, the founders of the pharmaceutical firm had made the country proud, while appealing to Nigerians in the diaspora to come and establish more manufacturing industries in the country.

In his appreciative remark, Mr. Kayode Alabi, the Kwara Deputy Governor, commended the state government for consistently ensuring and providing enabling environment to attract the interest of investors.

“We encourage collaboration, partnership, and mutual relationship towards the provision of deliverable to the citizens in reaching Goal 17 of the United Nations,” he said.

NAN