Nigeria’s Federal Government Reiterates Dedication to Digitizing Healthcare for Universal Health Coverage
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the comprehensive digitization of the country’s healthcare system. This pledge was made by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, at the 4th African Digital Health Summit (ADHS) held in Lagos over the weekend.
In his keynote address at the summit, Alausa highlighted that the success of UHC in Nigeria hinges on the effective digitization of the health sector to ensure improved service delivery and accessibility.
The ADHS, organized by Premier Medical Systems Consult and themed “Digital Transformation of Health Systems: What, Why, How?”, served as a platform for leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss digital innovations aimed at advancing UHC across Africa. The summit featured engaging sessions, panel discussions, and presentations on key topics related to digital health.
Alausa emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed vulnerabilities in global health systems, underscoring the critical need for digital transformation to address these weaknesses and promote a more resilient healthcare infrastructure.
Addressing the Summit’s Participants
Speaking to over 400 attendees from 15 countries, Alausa noted the potential of digital health solutions to enhance patient care, streamline healthcare processes, and improve diagnostic accuracy. He stressed that these innovations are crucial for reaching underserved populations, reducing healthcare costs, and optimizing resource allocation.
Among the distinguished participants at the summit were:
- Prof. Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority of Ghana
- Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner of Health for Lagos
- Anthony Adoghe, Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja
- Banke Odunsi, Head of the Digital Health Unit at the Lagos State Ministry of Health
- Njide Ndili, PharmAccess Country Director
Alausa emphasized that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the Ministry of Health is dedicated to leveraging digital tools to achieve UHC for all Nigerians. He stated, “Prof. Pate and I have been tasked with the critical mission of fully digitizing our health system to ensure quality healthcare and Universal Health Coverage for every Nigerian.”
Calls for Urgent Digital Transformation
Earlier in the summit, Niyi Osamiluyi, CEO of Premier Medical Systems Consult and Convener of the ADHS, highlighted the urgent need for digital transformation in African healthcare systems. Osamiluyi underscored the role of innovation, collaboration, and strong policy frameworks in enhancing healthcare delivery and outcomes across the continent.
During a panel discussion organized by Transform Health and DTH-Lab on “Maximizing the Benefits of Health Data Through Advancing a Value-Based Approach to Governance and More Robust Legislation,” Njide Ndili emphasized the importance of data governance and legal frameworks in protecting user privacy while maximizing the benefits of health data.
Ndili stated, “It is crucial that patients have control over their data and that there are laws in place to protect health information while allowing its use for societal benefits.”
The Path Forward for Digital Health
Ndili also stressed the need for collaboration among governments, private sector entities, and international organizations to build a robust digital health ecosystem. She called for a shift from manual record-keeping to a digital framework that supports scalable innovations.
At the Digital First Health System consultation hosted by PharmAccess and DTH-Lab, Ndili emphasized the significance of including young people’s perspectives in designing and governing future Digital-First Health Systems (DFHS). She noted that, “Young people are the highest adopters of mobile and digital technologies, so their health priorities must be considered in the design of digital health solutions.”
About PharmAccess and DTH-Lab
PharmAccess, a global non-profit organization established in 2001, is dedicated to pioneering digital innovations to strengthen healthcare systems across Africa. DTH-Lab, based at the University of Geneva, is a global consortium focused on implementing The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030’s recommendations for value-based digital health transformations co-created with young people.
As Nigeria moves forward with its digital health initiatives, these efforts aim to transform the healthcare landscape, bringing quality care to all Nigerians and advancing UHC goals.
