Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, has revealed the Federal Government’s plans to digitalize the healthcare system in order to enhance health outcomes. He made this announcement during a press briefing outlining the ministry’s agenda for the healthcare sector.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the government intends to increase funding for research activities, and the digitalization of the health system will play a pivotal role in collecting accurate data to improve the sector. This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Dr. Alausa, “We must ensure that the data we collect are not only accurate but also internationally and locally trusted and validated. These reliable data will be instrumental in delivering healthcare to our citizens. Validated data can help us identify areas where we excel and areas where we need improvement. With trustworthy data, we can refine our interventions to enhance healthcare outcomes.”
As part of the healthcare system’s digitalization, the government plans to introduce a national electronic medical record system that will unify primary care centers, clinics, and hospitals on a single platform. Furthermore, each state government will be encouraged to adopt this platform, ensuring consistency and continuity of care.
Dr. Alausa highlighted the benefits of this unified electromedical platform, which include easy access to patient data, medical history, improved continuity of care, and reduced healthcare costs. Additionally, it will enhance accountability and regulation within the healthcare sector.
The Minister of State also emphasized the government’s commitment to funding research in the country. He expressed the need to revamp research institutions and encourage collaboration among them. Additionally, Dr. Alausa noted that academic professors would receive more support for their research projects, with a focus on clinical, translational, and basic research.
Dr. Alausa highlighted the importance of conducting research trials on Nigerians to better understand the efficacy of drugs and medical devices. This approach aims to foster self-sufficiency in pharmaceuticals and healthcare policy development, ultimately leading to a more robust and focused research platform in the country.
