Nigeria’s healthcare system is on the brink of transformation through digital health initiatives, as critical stakeholders in the health sector chart course of action towards the nation’s attainment of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The experts, during a national roundtable on Nigeria Digital Health Initiative (NDHI) in Abuja recently, emphasized the critical role of public financing, governance, and the engagement of diverse stakeholders in achieving universal health coverage (UHC).
Despite significant challenges, the experts agreed that Nigeria’s commitment to advancing digital health through improved financing, infrastructure, and workforce development brings the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.
Dr. Olumide Okunola, Program Lead for Nigeria’s Health in Africa Initiative at the World Bank, stressed that public financing is foundational for improving healthcare access.
However, he noted that the public sector need not be the sole provider of services, advocating for a collaborative ecosystem with private providers.
He pointed out that while Nigeria has launched over 1,000 digital health projects in the last two decades, many have struggled to make a significant impact due to a lack of coordination.
Dr. Okunola called for a unified policy, such as the SWAP compact, to harmonize these efforts and mobilize available funding.
Drawing on successful examples from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, he emphasized the need for better governance—particularly in institutional, data, and infrastructure sectors.
Dr. Okunola urged Nigeria to establish a centralized digital transformation office to oversee and coordinate health initiatives, aligning all stakeholders toward common objectives.
Dr. Vivian Okafor, Deputy Director of the e-Health Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, highlighted systemic challenges in achieving UHC, including inadequate infrastructure in rural areas and a shortage of healthcare workers trained in digital technologies.
She discussed the Ministry’s efforts to address these gaps through stakeholder engagement, workforce training, and partnerships with private and international organizations.
Ralph Oluwole, Co-founder of Helium Health, echoed the need for training and support to ease the adoption of digital health technologies.
He emphasized that while healthcare workers initially resisted digitization, ongoing education and visible benefits—such as reduced wait times and fewer errors—have fostered greater acceptance.
Oluwole also highlighted the importance of user feedback in refining digital health solutions and encouraging ownership among healthcare providers.
Health policy expert Ms. Marelize Gorgens underscored the necessity of mobilizing public financing and creating robust governance frameworks to align the efforts of various stakeholders.
She cautioned that without proper governance and funding, the full potential of digital health solutions in Nigeria might not be realized.
Gorgens also advocated for a clear roadmap for digital health implementation that considers stakeholder input and addresses the specific needs of the Nigerian healthcare system.
Dr. Abba Mohammed, Director of Health Systems at the Federal Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration to foster innovation and improve healthcare delivery.
He called for incentives to encourage states to adopt digital health solutions and stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders.
