Market Trends of Nigeria Clinical Laboratory Services Industry
Microbiology Testing is Expected to Hold the Significant Market Share in the Nigerian Clinical Laboratory Services Market
Microbiology testing is expected to occupy a significant market share over the next few years. It determines if a disease is caused by a microorganism, like a virus or bacteria. Many infectious diseases are prevalent in Nigeria, and people are becoming more aware of and able to get microbiology testing, which is likely to drive the segment's growth.
Nigeria had the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest rates of new infections in Sub-Saharan Africa. For instance, in July 2023, according to the study published in eClinical Medicine Journal, the estimated prevalence of HIV in Nigeria was around 1.8 million in 2022 among adults aged 15-49 years. Similarly, the rate of infectious diseases like Lassa fever, yellow fever, monkeypox, cholera, and new strains of existing pathogens like Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C in Nigeria increased. For instance, in September 2022, according to the data published by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (NCDC), around 1,601 yellow fever cases were reported in Nigeria in 2022, among which the laboratory results reported 1.4% of cases.
Furthermore, there are increasing initiatives by the government to expand the microbiology testing capabilities in the region to meet the high demands. For instance, in October 2023, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention established a partnership with the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), wherein microbiology specialists provided them with lab equipment and shared expertise to strengthen the diagnostic capabilities for improving monkeypox virus response in the region. Thus, the Nigerian microbiology testing market is likely to show growth over the forecast period.
Hematology Testing Segment is Expected to Register a Healthy CAGR over the Forecast Period
Hematology deals with blood and blood-related disorders. Hematology tests include various tests on the blood, blood proteins, and blood-producing organs to evaluate a variety of blood conditions, including infection, anemia, inflammation, hemophilia, blood-clotting disorders, leukemia, and the body's response to chemotherapy treatments. A hematological analysis is more affordable and widely available than several more precise procedures.
The growing burden of blood-related disorders drives the demand for hematology tests, and advancements in technology for the development of hematology testing with advanced features are the major drivers for the segment's growth.
According to the study published in Public Health in Practice in June 2022, around 68.1% of children aged 6-59 months in Nigeria had anemia. The state with the highest prevalence was Zamfara, with 84.0%. Thus, Nigeria's significant blood disorders burden is expected to boost the market's growth over the forecast period.
Players in the market engage in activities like launching new products, forming partnerships, merging with other companies, and buying other companies. These are all strategic moves that should help the market grow. For instance, the Delta Plus Diagnostics facility that opened in Ogunu in April 2022 has a fully equipped molecular laboratory that tests COVID-19 and blood for hospitals, health management organizations (HMOs), corporations, and individuals.
Thus, all the factors above, such as the high burden of blood-related disorders in Nigeria and market player initiatives, are expected to boost the segment over the forecast period.
