Opening a new hospital or clinic in Nigeria is an exciting undertaking. However, it can also be quite a challenge. For instance, many doctors do not know where to buy all of the equipment required for a hospital or clinic. Additionally, many doctors and surgeons find that they need help prioritizing their equipment needs. Below is a simple five-step process that will help you organize the purchasing process and find a dependable medical equipment supplier for your hospital in Nigeria.
Step 1: Identify Your Hospital's Specialty or Areas of Expertise
- General Hospital or Multi-Specialty Hospital
- Maternal / Child Health Hospital
- Fertility Hospital
- Pediatric Hospital
- University Hospital
- Training Hospital
- Cancer Hospital
Many hospitals and clinics in Nigeria are multi-specialty, with doctors and surgeons who perform a wide variety of procedures.
Step 2: Know Approximately WHEN you will need the Equipment
By outlining your timeframe, you provide your equipment supplier with an idea of the urgency of your need. Suppliers will understand that it is difficult to provide an exact date, so it is fine to provide your best estimate. Below are some examples of some helpful responses to the question of timing:
- "I plan to open my hospital in June, so would like the equipment by May."
- "We will not break ground until next year, but I would like a quote in 2 weeks."
- "I would need for you to be able to ship the equipment within 4-6 weeks."
- "We must receive the equipment in Nigeria no later than December 20th."
Step 3: Make a List of the Equipment that You Will Need Along with Quantities
If you do not have a list, or if you need help creating a list, please go to Step 4.
This list should include all of the medical equipment that you will need to buy for your hospital, along with quantities and key specifications. Below is a suggested format, along with a few sample entries:
| Equipment Needed | Key Requirements | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthetic Machine | Ventilator and one isoflurane vaporizer | 3 |
| General Surgical Table | Electric operation with battery backup | 3 |
| Operating Light | Dual head ceiling mount | 3 |
| Recovery Monitor | NIBP, SPO2, EKG and Temperature | 4 |
| Critical Care Ventilator | Compatible with adults and children | 2 |
Step 4: Make a List of Each Area of Your Hospital that Requires Equipment
This step will help suppliers organize your quotation. Additionally, they can notify you if there are types of equipment that they are unable to provide. This will allow you to begin contacting other vendors if that step is necessary.
| Hospital Area | Number of Areas |
|---|---|
| Examination Rooms | Three Rooms |
| Operating Theatre | Two Theatres |
| Recovery Area | One Area / Four Beds |
| Inpatient Rooms | Twenty Rooms |
| Critical Care Rooms | Five Rooms |
| NICU | One unit / Four Beds |
| PICU | One unit / Four Beds |
| Labor & Delivery | Four Rooms |
| Sterilization Area | One |
| Pharmacy | One |
Step 5: Begin Researching Hospital Equipment Suppliers
Now that you have organized the key details of your hospital project, it is time to start your search for a trusted medical equipment company. There are thousands of equipment providers across the globe and it is important to evaluate companies very carefully. Many hospital owners choose to work with a trusted medical equipment supplier in the United States or Nigeria. When evaluating medical equipment providers from Nigeria, you should keep the following four points in mind:
- Quality:
- Seek a company with a commitment to quality
- Experience:
- Focus on companies with 10 or more years of experience
- Price:
- Companies with lowest prices are usually not the best
- References:
- Beware of providers who cannot provide references in Nigeria
We invite you to contact us to speak with one of our dedicated account executives for Nigeria. We can help you source everything that you need for your hospital in Nigeria. We look forward to working with you!
