President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Abuja declared that all medical equipment for domestic use in hospitals in Nigeria would be imported duty-free.
Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this at the commissioning of a private medical diagnostic centre in Abuja.
He said the aim, was to encourage Nigerian medical doctors in the Diaspora to invest in the health sector, to build a world class facility in the country.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Abuja declared that all medical equipment for domestic use in hospitals in Nigeria would be imported duty-free.
Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said this at the commissioning of a private medical diagnostic centre in Abuja.
He said the aim, was to encourage Nigerian medical doctors in the Diaspora to invest in the health sector, to build a world class facility in the country.
“The incentives had been approved by the Federal Government. When you are importing for commercial purpose, it is not duty free.
“It is only when you are importing the equipment to instal in an institution you established that the duty-free on the equipment is applicable.
“Government is determined to encourage people in the Diaspora to come back and invest.
“We want to reduce external tourism, there is nothing wrong with our medical experts, in fact some countries have come to us, requesting for Nigerian doctors, because they are good. ’’
Jonathan said government was also interested in drugs being manufactured in the country, not because they would be cheap but believes that the quality will be better.
He advised the investors to abide by the laws and regulations set by all regulative agencies in charge of imported radiologists’ equipment for the purpose of safety in the country.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the diagnostic centre, Sen. Ikechukwu Abana, said high import duties and multiple taxation were some of the factors that pose serious challenges to investors in the healthcare sector.
Abana also mentioned that exorbitant fees charged by various government agencies should be looked into, adding that import duty concessions to medical service providers was necessary.
He said the centre was established based on the Federal Government's initiative of `unlocking the
private sector potentials’ for the establishment of world class specialist hospital and diagnostic centres in the country.
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