Posted on: Wed 19-02-2025

To strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare sector and improve access to quality medical services, SYNLAB, provider of medical diagnostics, has emphasised the need for greater collaboration among regulators, government agencies, and businesses. The company made this call over the weekend while celebrating its 20th anniversary in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, SYNLAB’s Chief Executive Officer, Kenneth Okolie, outlined the company’s vision for the next decade, which includes bridging healthcare gaps, expanding services, and positioning Nigeria as a key medical hub in Africa.

Okolie highlighted SYNLAB’s commitment to stabilizing the healthcare sector by improving service quality and addressing disparities in medical access across Africa, including in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Okolie stated, “In Nigeria, we are expanding our presence. This year alone, we are launching several new diagnostic centres across the country, with more to come in the years ahead.

“Our goal is to provide world-class medical diagnostics, ensuring that healthcare delivery meets international standards.”

SYNLAB also envisions Nigeria as a leading destination for medical excellence in Africa.

Okolie pointed to global healthcare models, such as the UAE’s successful push into medical tourism, as inspiration. He emphasized that Nigeria could achieve similar success by implementing stronger policies, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and fostering innovation. He noted, “This transformation will require deliberate action, investment, and collaboration among all stakeholders. We have the resources, the expertise, and the drive to make this vision a reality.”

He also acknowledged the crucial role of partnerships in achieving these goals.

“We call on our partners, stakeholders, and regulators to join us in making this vision a reality. Together, we can redefine healthcare in Nigeria and Africa,” Okolie added.

Reflecting on SYNLAB’s journey, the co-founder of PathCare Nigeria (now SYNLAB Nigeria), Dr. Richard Ajayi, spoke about the company’s transformation.

He paid tribute to the sacrifices of his wife, Dr. Pamela Ajayi, who played a pivotal role in its success.

Ajayi said, “From its inception in 1999, PathCare transformed diagnostic services in Nigeria, overcoming unreliable local lab testing and financial hurdles to establish international-quality healthcare solutions.”

Highlighting Dr. Pamela Ajayi’s contributions, including her role in securing financing, undergoing hands-on training in South Africa, and managing operational challenges, said: “Pamela was instrumental in establishing PathCare Nigeria, which later became SYNLAB.

“She took financial risks, underwent extensive training, and overcame logistical hurdles, including clearing vital lab equipment stuck at the port.

“She also upheld ethical business practices, rejecting commission-based doctor referrals and prioritizing quality diagnostics,” he added.

Dr. Ajayi emphasized that entrepreneurship requires resilience, particularly in navigating regulatory roadblocks and business transitions.

He stated, “Entrepreneurs must build businesses that thrive beyond them. SYNLAB’s success proves that resilience, ethics, and vision drive lasting impact.”

Also speaking, the Consul General of Germany in Nigeria, Mr. Weert Börner, commended SYNLAB for its two decades of excellence.

He praised the company’s pioneering role in diagnostics, its ISO certification, and its contributions to knowledge transfer within Nigeria’s healthcare sector.

SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

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