By Hassan Hussain
The Chief Executive Officer of Medical Equipment Nigeria, Dr. Ayogu Philip, has unveiled a new portable ultrasound device with solar power and battery backup, saying it is designed to bridge diagnostic gaps and improve healthcare delivery in underserved communities across Nigeria.
Dr. Philip made the call during a familiarisation visit to Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the 774 Network for Asiwaju, where he unveiled the company’s latest portable ultrasound technology. He said the organisation is focused on bridging critical gaps in the nation’s healthcare system by providing modern, affordable and efficient medical equipment.
He explained that Medical Equipment Nigeria comprises a multidisciplinary team of scientists, pharmacists, medical doctors and engineers working together to identify healthcare challenges and develop practical solutions.
According to him, the organisation collaborates with manufacturers and research partners across Asia, Europe and the United States to customise medical equipment that addresses local challenges, including unstable electricity supply and the need for faster, high-quality healthcare services.
Dr. Philip noted that beyond medical imaging, the company is also providing innovative solutions in chemical pathology, infection control and medical furniture, with the overall goal of improving healthcare delivery across the country.
The CEO explained that the newly introduced ultrasound machine is not a new invention but an improved version of existing technology, specially adapted for the Nigerian environment with features such as solar power and battery backup to ensure uninterrupted service in areas with inadequate electricity.
He disclosed that the company is engaging the Federal Ministry of Health, state governments and other stakeholders through proposals and advocacy to encourage the adoption of the technology, adding that Kano State is among the first state governments to indicate interest.
Dr. Philip appealed to other state governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to collaborate in expanding access to quality healthcare equipment, stressing that healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility.
He assured that the company would make the equipment affordable through volume discounts while also leveraging its international partners to support government efforts through donations and subsidised pricing.
Dr. Philip further pledged that Medical Equipment Nigeria would continue introducing innovative technologies aimed at addressing emerging healthcare challenges and improving access to quality medical services nationwide.
Receiving the delegation, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of the 774 Network for Asiwaju, said the introduction of a compact ultrasound machine will enhance access to quality healthcare, particularly for people in underserved communities across the country.
Alhaji Muhammed stated this while receiving the leadership of Medical Equipment Nigeria at his office in Abuja.
He explained that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by making diagnostic services more accessible and affordable.
According to him, the idea emerged during discussions on conducting medical outreach programmes to mark the birthday of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Taraba State identified as one of the areas requiring urgent healthcare intervention.
The National Coordinator said collaboration with the inventor of the device led to the development of the portable ultrasound machine, describing it as a major innovation capable of bringing diagnostic services closer to the people.
Alhaji Muhammed noted that although the equipment is currently expensive because of its new technology, its cost is expected to reduce over time as production expands.
He appealed to governments at all levels, the private sector, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the acquisition and distribution of the equipment to healthcare facilities, especially in rural communities.
Speaking on its benefits, Alhaji Muhammed said the portable ultrasound machine would improve early diagnosis of illnesses, reduce unnecessary referrals to distant hospitals, and support medical personnel in making accurate treatment decisions.
He expressed optimism that wider deployment of the technology would strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes for Nigerians.
In his remarks, Medical Sonographer Dr. Chukwuma Odinkalu said the introduction of a portable ultrasound device will significantly improve access to diagnostic healthcare services, particularly for people living in rural and underserved communities across Nigeria.
While presenting the innovative imaging device, Dr. Odinkalu explained that it was designed to address the long-standing challenge of limited access to medical ultrasound services in remote areas.
According to him, conventional ultrasound machines are often inaccessible in rural communities due to their bulky nature, dependence on electricity, and the difficulty of transporting and maintaining them.
He explained that the newly introduced handheld device is lightweight, battery-powered, and compact enough to be carried in a pocket, making it suitable for use in hard-to-reach locations without a constant electricity supply.
The medical sonographer noted that despite its smaller size, the device operates on the same principle as standard ultrasound machines and delivers high-quality images capable of supporting accurate medical diagnosis.
Dr. Odinkalu stressed that timely diagnosis is critical in healthcare, noting that delays in accessing medical imaging could worsen patients’ conditions or even result in loss of lives.
He expressed optimism that the device would help reduce preventable health complications in rural communities by bringing essential diagnostic services closer to the people.
The expert also said the portable ultrasound would enhance medical outreach programmes, where ultrasound examinations are often omitted because of the challenges associated with transporting conventional machines.
Highlighting another key feature, Dr. Odinkalu explained that the device is equipped with Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) technology, enabling users to transmit images and video clips electronically to specialists anywhere in the world for remote consultation and second opinions.
He added that this capability would improve collaboration among healthcare professionals and support more accurate diagnoses, especially in remote locations.
On possible challenges, Dr. Odinkalu said he foresees no major operational difficulties with the device, except the need for careful handling because of its compact and delicate design. He, however, emphasized that adequate user training would accompany the deployment of the equipment, describing such orientation as a standard requirement whenever new medical technology is introduced.
Also speaking, the Personal Physician to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Tumka Iliya, described the introduction of portable bedside ultrasound technology as a major breakthrough that will transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria by improving emergency response, reducing waiting time and lowering preventable deaths.
Dr. Iliya, while assessing the potential impact of the innovative medical device, noted that one of the biggest challenges in healthcare is the inability to make prompt bedside diagnoses, especially during emergencies.
He explained that the portable ultrasound device would enable clinicians to carry out immediate assessments without moving critically ill patients to radiology departments, thereby reducing delays, inconvenience and complications associated with patient transfers.
According to him, the innovation will be particularly beneficial in rural communities where conventional ultrasound machines are scarce due to inadequate infrastructure and unreliable electricity supply.
Dr. Iliya said with proper training for healthcare workers, the device would strengthen primary healthcare services, improve the management of pregnancy-related complications and contribute significantly to reducing maternal mortality across the country.
The physician, who is also an internist in training, recalled that many senior medical consultants had long desired portable diagnostic tools that could be used at patients’ bedsides to facilitate quicker clinical decisions.
He urged the Federal Ministry of Health to accelerate the deployment of the technology to hospitals and primary healthcare centres nationwide to ease the burden on healthcare professionals and improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Iliya also called on Nigerians to embrace the innovation, noting that portable ultrasound technology has already produced positive results in other countries by shortening patients’ waiting time and enhancing access to quality medical care.
He added that making the devices available in primary healthcare facilities would enable community health workers to conduct preliminary assessments and seek guidance from physicians remotely, thereby reducing unnecessary referrals and ensuring timely treatment for patients.
In his contribution, DIG Rtd. Muhammed Gumel commended the leadership of Medical Equipment Nigeria for introducing the innovation and expressed hope that it would improve healthcare delivery nationwide.
