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A turning point or not: Possibilities for Nigeria’s first ventilator machine -By Kabir Adisa

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Kabir Adisa

The National Agency For Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) announced this week, that it has produced the first ventilators and mobile vaccine sprayers made in Nigeria. The devices are some of the most important equipment needed to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic aka COVID-19 that has ravaged the entire world and brought it to a standstill literally.  Unveiled on Tuesday,  by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, they are to serve as compliment towards federal government efforts in its fight in curtailing the spread of the deadly virus which has been predicted to cripple Nigeria, economically and socially by various World organizations.

This achievement recorded by the Agency, is indeed a remarkable one and should be applauded by every Nigerian both at home and in the Diaspora, as this holds tremendous promise towards human and capital development in a country that relies heavily on imports. The ventilator is important equipment in the treatment of coronavirus patients, most especially those with severe symptoms. According to NASENI engineers during the unveiling, the prototypes comprise of three different models, one of which is said to be a model from WHO.  Also, one of the prototypes is a mobile model that could be used to administer oxygen outside the hospital environment. In addition to all these, it is further explained that the ventilators are designed to monitor patients heart condition and display heartbeat online. The technical expertise required to conceptualize and design the equipment is not in contention, however, just as have been exemplified by past failures in projects of this nature in Nigeria, NASENI isn’t quite free to bask in the euphoria of its achievement. Beyond all the excitement, what this brings to light is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed immediately in order to build effectively on the forced changes that has swept across various countries so far. Since report of the first outbreak in Nigeria, the government response both at the state and federal levels has been very commendable. Our health workers have risen up to the task and have been doing all they can to reduce the rate of spread and death from the pandemic to a barest minimum which in relation to other climes has been a success so far.

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NASENI unveils made in nigeria ventilator
NASENI unveils made in Nigeria ventilator

While efforts aimed at stabilizing the economy have had little or no impact, it is safe to hope that we may still be able to catch up and survive unscathed (In spite of growing fears of economic recession compounded by falling oil prices), by implementing broad programs across essential industries to absorb the impact from the resultant shock to the economy. Not to deviate from the main issue at hand, which of course, being that the production of the first ventilator in the country offers hope, and points to the altruistic nature typical of Nigerians, and that with the right kind of stimuli, we can achieve a great deal as a nation even with the emergence of COVID 19. Nevertheless, the bulk of work that is to be invested in bringing this vision to bear lies in the domain of appropriate management techniques by the federal government through the Ministry of Science and Infrastructure but specifically, by the team at NASENI. It is important therefore, that they don’t just stop at the  invention of the devices, long term strategic procedures must be initiated at inception to enable an efficient structure that will ensure the system guarantees a highly efficient and seamless production line unhindered by bottlenecks and bureaucratic intrigues.  This approach, if implemented correctly, will no doubt aid the roll-out of future inventions that will be conceived by the Agency and see that it bears meaningful realizations. Beyond this, it is important that high standards are set and followed up. This is true and necessary in every organization and government so as to bring about an improvement in output and productivity. Nigeria greatly lacks this and one cannot but fear that this may hinder the smooth development of the invention, thereby robbing it of its potential even if before it lifts off the ground.

It is important to note that, the future of Nigeria lies in building its manufacturing capacity to an optimum level and this has been reflected by the initial scarcity that accompanied the wake of the pandemic where China, being the major manufacturer in the world, couldn’t keep up with the commitments as a result of its efforts at containing the outbreak of COVID-19 in their country. This has been an eye-opener on what over-dependence on imports could spell for any country that relies heavily on others for basic sustenance at the expense of home industries. To be fair, in reality, this is easier said than done, but with a holistic, dedicated and honest approach at the conceptual, design and execution stages, then maybe there could be more than a fighting chance for capacity building in the face of social and economic evolution currently challenging the world.

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