Vono boss unveils hospital furniture, laments fake products

The Acting Managing Director, Vono Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Tunji Anjorin, has drawn attention to the rise of substandard bedding products such as mattresses and pillows in the market, asking regulatory bodies to mount guard on the spread of unhealthy mattresses.

Anjorin, who spoke during the unveiling ceremony of the company’s hospital furniture at the Ilupeju factory in Lagos on Thursday, appealed to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to “intensify surveillance efforts on those who manufacture these fake products” as counterfeit bedding pose health risks.

He also spoke on the need for increased public awareness on the importance of foam mattresses to healthy living and comfort .

“One of the challenges facing local manufacturers of bedding products in the country is the influx of adulterated products in the market. These people ply their trades in secret corners and with unsuspecting consumers. We cannot fight them alone. We are using the opportunity to call on statutory regulatory bodies such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria to intensify surveillance efforts on those who manufacture these fake products.

“In time past we initiated an anti-adulteration campaign to educate consumers on how to instantly authenticate their purchase by sending SMS to code numbers on the products. Though this worked, these manufacturers of fake products have renewed their strategy. We would like to corporate with SON to effectively combat the menace because such brandless products are hazardous to public health,” he said.

“We also encourage prospective consumers to go to authorized dealers where you are sure of getting products which are results of research findings and understanding of the needs of end users in particular,” he added.

According to him, the examination bed had been designed for comfort; the drip is adjustable while the bedside cabinet is not only waterproof but also good for storage.

Also speaking on the significance of mattress to healthy living, Chief Medical Officer, GEO Medical Center, Dr. Adetomiwa George, stated that the choice of the right kind of size and texture of mattresses should not be compromised in homes.

He said: “We spend the average of six hours on daily basis sleeping which is about one third of our lives on our beds. You must make it a comfortable place. This means that your mattresses must be good and your pillows must be excellent. You cannot afford to use substandard foam mattresses or pillows on our beds; you cannot afford to patronize brandless products, as whatever health complications arise from the products cannot be addressed. As much as it lies in your hand, make inquiries as to the kind of size and texture you want before buying any bedding products.”

Making a special presentation on the new products, Vono Products Project Manager, Mr. Raheal Oshinubi, explained that the three furniture were tailor-made to enhance service delivery in our hospitals. He noted that the products’ quality conformed to international best practices.

Speaking on the prevalence of fake products in Nigeria, the Group Head, Sales and Marketing, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc., Mr. Sola Owoade, noted that companies were co-operating with the statutory organizations such as the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) on surveillance in order to arrest the perpetrators.