ISN Medical has stated that it is positioning itself for deeper expansion across Africa while exploring local manufacturing of medical products in Nigeria.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ISN Medical, Felix Ofungwu, disclosed this during a hybrid media briefing in Lagos, where he described Nigeria’s healthcare market as one of the most challenging environments to operate in due to low health insurance coverage and high out-of-pocket spending by patients.
He said that, unlike countries such as Rwanda and the United Kingdom, where healthcare systems are more structured, most Nigerians still pay directly for healthcare services, making the sector highly price-sensitive.
“The Nigerian healthcare market is complex. More than 90 per cent of patients still pay out of pocket for treatment, and that creates pressure on healthcare providers and patients alike,” Ofungwu said.
He stated that the company operates with internationally recognised standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 certifications, which distinguish it within the healthcare industry.
He added that the company mainly supplies diagnostic equipment, reagents, and consumables used in laboratories and hospitals to confirm medical diagnoses.
“One of the products we are well known for is Accu-Chek, used by people living with diabetes to monitor blood sugar levels. We also provide test kits for malaria and other diseases,” Ofungwu said.
He stated that the company also supports disease research laboratories and operates a subsidiary focused on chronic illness management for patients living with diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease.
“We have in-house engineers trained to maintain and repair every piece of equipment we supply. We also train healthcare professionals on how to properly use these systems,” Ofungwu said.
Speaking on the company’s Life Sciences operations, Ofungwu said ISN Medical was delivering advanced genomic sequencing solutions, including paternity testing services, as part of efforts to expand beyond diagnostics into personalised medicine.
He disclosed that the company already has staff in four countries across West and Central Africa and currently serves customers in 21 African countries.
The ISN Medical CEO said the next phase of growth will focus on strengthening local operations across the region and expanding the company’s consumer healthcare portfolio.
“Our purpose is to play a leading role in the positive transformation of healthcare across Africa,” Ofungwu said.
Also speaking, the Director of Life Sciences at ISN Medical, Rodolph Vetchenou, said the integration of artificial intelligence and genomics into diagnostics and treatment would improve healthcare delivery, reduce medical errors, and lower treatment costs in Nigeria.
Vetchenou explained that artificial intelligence had become essential in modern genomics, particularly in analysing large volumes of genetic data generated through DNA sequencing.
“When you sequence DNA, you generate a lot of data. The only way to make sense of it is by using AI. It helps us compare genomes with reference genomes, identify mutations, and understand how those mutations are linked to the clinical condition of patients,” Vetchenou said.
Using oncology as an example, he described cancer as a genetic disease caused by mutations within cells, adding that understanding those mutations enables doctors to provide more targeted treatment.
“If you can identify the trigger and understand the mutation behind a cancer, you can better target the disease with the right treatment. That reduces wasted time, unnecessary tests, and the overall cost of treatment,” Vetchenou said.
He urged policymakers and healthcare stakeholders to adopt modern healthcare strategies already succeeding in other parts of the world, stressing the need to make advanced medical technologies more accessible in Nigeria.
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