Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Boom for West Africa healthcare as Medlab returns to Nigeria April 22

healthcare

By Doris Obinna

 

Medlab West Africa returns to Lagos on April 22, 2024, for three days as a standalone event. Co-located with the inaugural Pharmaconex West Africa, this duo promises to reshape the healthcare landscape and accelerate innovation across West Africa.

The combined event offers unparalleled opportunities for industry professionals, thought leaders, and businesses to collaborate and drive positive change within the medical laboratory and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.

Medlab West Africa in a statement disclosed that recent reports by the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria revealed that no fewer than 10,697 medical laboratory scientists migrated abroad.

“In 2023 alone, more than 4,504 medical laboratory scientists left the country, leaving the healthcare infrastructure severely fragile and in desperate need of innovation and personnel investment.

“Responding to this demand, Medlab West Africa is emerging as a dedicated platform, amplifying its focus on the evolving needs of the medical laboratory sector. The event will boast a comprehensive program featuring 3,500+ visitors and 150+ exhibitors from 30+ countries including Randox, Snibe, DCL, FUJIFILM, Erba, Mindray, Crown Health.

“The gathering will continue to connect a diverse range of stakeholders, showcasing the latest advancements in laboratory technology, diagnostics, and research.

“Medlab West Africa will also feature six high-level CPD-accredited conferences, to allow attendees to deepen their knowledge through targeted sessions led by renowned experts, covering critical topics like laboratory management & quality, hematology & blood transfusion, clinical microbiology & parasitology, molecular diagnostics, clinical chemistry, anatomic pathology.”

Senior Exhibition Director of Medlab Series, Tom Coleman, said: “The return of Medlab West Africa marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower the West African medical laboratory sector. By fostering collaboration, career development, and knowledge exchange, we are contributing to strengthening the region’s healthcare infrastructure, improving patient outcomes, and creating a vibrant ecosystem where knowledge and expertise congregate.”

The statement further reads: “In addition, Pharmaconex West Africa, in association with CPHI Global will mark its West African debut bringing its decade-long expertise as a global brand to Nigeria and promises to connect over 2,000 pharmaceutical professionals with key decision-makers across the entire pharmaceutical value supply chain, from manufacturers and distributors to researchers and healthcare providers. “Attendees at this maiden edition will have the opportunity to explore innovations in drug discovery, development, manufacturing, and supply chain management; and facilitate collaboration and business opportunities within the burgeoning West African pharmaceutical market.”

Also, Group Exhibition Director of Pharmaconex, Mostapha Khalil, commented: “We are thrilled to bring Pharmaconex West Africa to Nigeria, offering a platform for collaboration and innovation within the region’s rapidly growing pharmaceutical industry.

“By connecting key stakeholders across the value chain, we aim to accelerate medicine discovery, development, and manufacturing, ultimately improving access to life-saving medication for all.

“By co-locating with Medlab West Africa, we are creating a unique opportunity for stakeholders across the entire healthcare ecosystem to come together. This will foster knowledge exchange and collaboration, and ultimately accelerate innovation that can benefit patients across West Africa.”