The Nigeria Customs Service and the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria have partnered on efficient healthcare delivery in the country by enhancing trade facilitation.

This was disclosed by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Tariffs & Trade, Caroline Niagwan, in a roundtable dialogue with HFN in Ikeja, Lagos.

Niagwan, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the partnership would enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

She said the dialogue was an opportunity to strengthen the partnership between Nigeria Customs and HFN, align their strategies, and explore innovative solutions to their challenges such as counterfeit drugs and delays in clearance of vital medical supplies.

“We are here to strengthen the synergy between these two parties by enhancing trade facilitation and ensuring the effective elevation of our healthcare imports and exports crucial for advancing our shared goals for economic growth, public health safety, and efficiency.

“Nigeria’s Trade is a big market that investors want to come to and we need to explore as it brings in foreign exchange. This collaboration is key as it has helped us see our roles and challenges and how to address them. What concerns the Customs is to increase compliance with trade policies, imports & exports,” Niawagan said.

The HFN President, Pamela Ajayi, emphasised the importance of Customs in Healthcare, including cost control and security, mentioning the creation of a special corridor by Customs, HFN, and the Ministry of Finance to expedite healthcare services in Nigeria. She cited benefits such as increased access to healthcare and more revenue for the federal government and also explained Harmonized System Codes, and their importance for customs clearance of healthcare and medical supplies.

Ajayi said, “There were issues with almost expired and expired vaccines coming into the country, the quantity of medications in the country and so many other challenges. It raised a huge red flag as to the health security of the continent. So the World Health Organisation, World Customs Organisation, and the World Trade Organisation came up with the resolution of a special corridor in all the countries affiliated with these organizations, of which Nigeria, is one.

“The CG has approved this and implementation of the corridor has been established. He set up a technical working group with HFN, Customs, Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure that this is done and has agreed to the establishment of a special healthcare sector to enable the two areas to work together seamlessly to implement the formal resolution recommended by the WHO and Customs Cooperation Council.”

The Director of Technical Services, Federal Ministry of Finance, Basheer Abdulkadir, clarified the fiscal policy, stating that under Schedule II, item 8 of the Customs Excise Tariff Act, there are life-saving appliances, which include drugs and pharmaceuticals.