MedServe, the healthcare subsidiary of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), has entered into a five-year agreement with Roche Diagnostics to deploy automated laboratory systems across 12 sites in Nigeria.
The partnership forms part of the first phase of MedServe’s wider programme to expand access to modern diagnostic and oncology services, with installation at the first laboratory site already underway.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over healthcare funding and the need for African countries to strengthen domestic healthcare systems and reduce dependence on external capacity.
Under the agreement, Roche Diagnostics will provide laboratory systems and implementation support, while MedServe will provide local leadership and investment as the partners seek to establish integrated diagnostic services that can be sustained within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The programme will also leverage existing HIV testing infrastructure to expand laboratory capacity and support Nigeria’s broader healthcare priorities.
At a press conference on Friday, Tolulope Adewole, managing director and chief executive officer of MedServe, said expanding diagnostic capacity was critical to improving healthcare delivery in the country.
“Expanding Nigeria’s diagnostic services is a vital part of building a healthcare system that can respond more effectively to the needs of its people. This agreement combines local leadership, investment and technical expertise to enhance laboratory services across the country,” he said.
Roberto Taboada, network head, Anglo-West Africa, Roche Diagnostics, said the partnership would combine international technical expertise with local knowledge to develop sustainable diagnostic capacity.
“Building lasting diagnostic capability requires strong local partnerships and consistent support through implementation. Working with MedServe allows us to contribute our expertise to a programme shaped around Nigeria’s priorities and the singular needs of its healthcare system,” he said.
The companies said the programme reflects the growing recognition of diagnostics as a critical component of effective healthcare systems, noting that reliable diagnostic information is essential to clinical decision-making, treatment and patient care.
The partnership is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s laboratory infrastructure by introducing modern automated testing systems while building local capacity to support their sustained operation.
MedServe currently operates three flagship centres and is leading the development of a nationwide network of diagnostic and oncology centres. The company said the network is intended to combine advanced medical technology with clinical governance to improve patient outcomes and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The rollout comes as healthcare systems globally face funding pressures, with the partners arguing that public-private collaboration will be increasingly important to expanding healthcare capacity and improving access to essential services.
