Some stakeholders have said that the integration of digital health and robust data governance into Nigeria’s health sector would accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The stakeholders said this on Wedneday in Abuja, at the fifth legislative summit on health, themed “Improving Legislative Stewardship and Accountability for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”.
They said that by leveraging technology and ensuring effective management of health data, the country could improve healthcare delivery.
They said that it would also enhance patient outcomes, and make strides towards equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
Mr Femi Olapegba, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digital Health Platforms Limited, said that this foundational shift not only streamlined healthcare services.
Olapegba said that it would also empower health systems to respond more effectively to the nation’s diverse health needs.
He outlined Interswitch’s approach to integrating Artificial Intelligence( AI), digital health, and data governance into the health sector as a foundation to achieve UHC’s goal in Nigeria.
Interswitch is an Africa-oriented technology-driven company focused on payments.
According to olapegba, Interswitch has extended its expertise beyond financial services to various industries, including health, by collaborating with the Lagos State Government to create the Smart Information Platform.
“This platform integrates data from hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and government agencies into a single system to enhance patient care.
“Key services include electronic referral systems, e-prescriptions, and unique identification for individuals from birth, while maintaining robust security measures to protect health data,” he said.
He, however, urged stakeholders to focus on equity and inclusivity in healthcare strategies.
Dr Gbenga Ijaodola, from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, addressed the critical need for digitalisation and data-driven solutions to achieve universal health coverage in Nigeria.
Ijaodola, who is the Head, Monitoring and Evaluation Division at the Department of the ministry, said that without a robust accountability system, achieving universal health coverage would be difficult.
He highlighted the limitations of paper-based systems, noting they obstruct efforts to scale up and cover all necessary services effectively.
He also stressed the importance of developing a skilled workforce capable of implementing digital health solutions and fostering public-private partnerships to address the capital-intensive nature of digital health.
Dr Niyi Osamiluyi, CEO of Premier Health Systems (PHS) Consult, acknowledged the significant support and collaborative efforts that have advanced health initiatives and digital health frameworks in Nigeria.
Osamiluyi commended the Federal Government’s initiative and the Ministry of Health’s endorsement, which has been instrumental in progressing health initiatives.
He also commended legislators and other government officials for their efforts in creating policies, standards, and regulations that support data governance.
He underlined the importance of these efforts in ensuring the success and sustainability of digital health initiatives.
Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), highlighted the government’s initiative to reduce the financial burden of healthcare.
Sulaiman said that multi-stakeholder collaboration was important in achieving UHC.
The director-general, who was represented by Dr Osarefin Okungbowa, underlined the need for effective resource allocation and fiscal management, identifying high maternal and infant mortality rates as a priority.
He said that ensuring proper allocation and utilisation of funds was crucial for improving health outcomes for the most disadvantaged groups.
Dr Bolanle Olusola-Faleye, Chief of Party at the Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS), said that the project would continue to follow up in various states.
He said that the states would be held accountable to the commitments legislators were making as part of their legislative health agenda.
According to Olusola-Faleye, we aim to foster a strong partnership with the executive arm of government, with whom we engage most frequently.
“Our immediate goal is to ensure that these two branches of government collaborate effectively to elevate the health system to the desired level,” she said. (NAN)
