Abuja, Nigeria – Stakeholders rose from a three-day summit in Abuja in Friday, saying the integration of digital health and robust data governance into the health sector are pivotal for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.
They also said by leveraging technology and ensuring effective management of health data, the country can improve healthcare delivery, enhance patient outcomes, and make strides towards equitable access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
They spoke at the fifth legislative summit on health, themed “Improving Legislative Stewardship and Accountability for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”
Mr Femi Olapegba, the CEO of Digital Health Platforms Limited, said that this foundational shift not only streamlines healthcare services but also empowers health systems to respond more effectively to the nation’s diverse health needs.
Olapegba 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.
He stated that 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, laboratories, 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, all while maintaining robust security measures to protect health data,” he said.
Dr Gbenga Ijaodola, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Health, addressed the critical need for digitalization and data-driven solutions to achieve UHC in Nigeria, adding that without a robust accountability system, achieving universal health coverage would be difficult.
On the limitations of paper-based systems, he noted that 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 thanked legislators and government officials for their efforts in creating policies, standards, and regulations that support data governance.
Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, underlined the need for effective resource allocation and fiscal management in dealing with high maternal and infant mortality rates.
He also suggested lessons be drawn from successful models like the National Health Service Act for coalition building and policy implementation.
Meanwhile, Dr Gafar Alawode, Director of DGI Consult Limited, said that Public spending was key to expanding health insurance coverage to the poor and vulnerable.
Alawode said that Local Government Chairmen should provide oversight to ensure this spending effectively benefits the population.
Dr Bolanle Olusola-Faleye, Chief of Party at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS), said that LHSS would continue to follow up in their respective states and hold them 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.
