A Lagos-based hospital equipment dealer and Founder of Sariva Healthcare Specialties, Hussaina Nuhu-Ajala, has called on the government to increase funding for the healthcare sector to reduce the growing trend of medical tourism.

Speaking at the bi-monthly PR Tea Conference organised by Hustle Africa in Ikeja, Lagos, Nuhu-Ajala emphasised that the lack of adequate funding has resulted in the under-equipping of hospitals, despite the country’s wealth of qualified medical professionals.

“While Nigeria is blessed with skilled medical personnel, the absence of essential equipment and infrastructure continues to hamper the delivery of quality healthcare,” she said.

Nuhu-Ajala also raised concerns about the negative impact of Nigeria’s unstable foreign exchange policies on the healthcare equipment business.

She commended the government’s move to reduce import duties on medical equipment but criticised the inconsistent and ambiguous implementation of the policy.

“There have been cases where customs misclassified medical equipment as furniture, leading to higher duties and inflated costs. We need a clear, transparent, and well-structured system to ensure medical equipment is correctly categorized and processed,” she added.

Stressing the importance of accessibility and affordability in healthcare, Nuhu-Ajala advocated for increased government investment in hospitals and the wider health sector. According to her, proper funding will empower hospitals to pay healthcare workers fairly, acquire high-quality equipment, and significantly reduce the need for Nigerians to seek medical treatment abroad.

With a background in human anatomy and over 15 years of experience as a sales operations executive, Nuhu-Ajala established Sariva Healthcare Specialties to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.

Her company is committed to providing premium, functional hospital equipment in a fast, seamless, and budget-friendly manner.

She shared insights from her journey into the medical equipment industry, noting the importance of understanding the tools used by doctors to deliver care. “Equipping hospitals goes beyond supply—it requires practical training and hands-on experience to ensure the right tools are available to save lives,” she said.

By combining her healthcare knowledge and business expertise, Nuhu-Ajala is on a mission to revolutionise the procurement of hospital equipment and contribute to a more robust and accessible healthcare system in Nigeria.