An electrical Engineer Dr. Onyema Edward, has called for a major reform in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The call was the focus of his policy paper presented at the 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) NIGERCON International Conference, held at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos.
The paper titled “Policy Framework for Integrating Clinical Engineering Directorates (CED) in the Nigerian Healthcare System: Lessons from the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom,” was presented to an audience of engineers, academics, researchers and policymakers.
The paper was Co-authored by Dr. Ihekerenma Ejimofor and Mr. Collins Okonkwo, who also made insightful contributions to the presentation.
Edward disclosed a plan to leverage the next National Assembly to push for the drafting and passage of a bill on the policy.
He said, “This presentation goes beyond academic discourse. We intend to leverage the 11th National Assembly to collaborate with legislators for the drafting of a bill on this policy and ensure its passage into law”.
Edward explained that the Clinical Engineering Directorate (CED) is aimed at improving the Nigerian healthcare system through CED governance, with the intent to enhance patient safety and reduce medical tourism through robust management of medical equipment.
According to him, the approach will improve the number of skilled healthcare practitioners, improve the utilisation rate of sophisticated medical equipment, introduce standard equipment preventive maintenance measures, and integrate fragmented clinical engineers into CED governance mechanisms in the Federal Ministry of Health, tertiary healthcare institutions and state healthcare systems, among others.
“The CED will improve patient safety, reduce medical tourism and ensure robust management of medical equipment across our healthcare system,” he said.
“The second idea, the Nigeria Intelligence System Agency (NISA), is for accelerated learning, research development, advancement, integration and implementation of evolving innovative technology.
“Together, both ideas represent a push for a technology-driven, safer and more self-reliant Nigeria” he said.
Edward commended the organisers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Nigeria Section, for a well-organised conference.
He also commended the management of the University of Lagos for creating a sustainable learning environment, noting the robust air-conditioned student learning facilities as proof of well-utilised TETFund grant and other government interventions.