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Digitally reforming healthcare in Nigeria

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By Abundance Adenola

Utilising technology to address challenges in the Nigerian Health sector

Lagos public hospitals are popular for overcrowding. With patients arriving from the break of dawn, hospital staff struggle to keep up with the overwhelming demand for care. For millions of Nigerians who cannot afford private healthcare, these hospitals are often their only option. However, with limited resources and a workforce stretched thin, the pressure is evident. Doctors are tasked with managing patient loads that far exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended 1:600 ratio, resulting in rushed consultations, inadequate care, and a system on the verge of collapse, as both healthcare workers and patients cope with an inefficient system.

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The crisis in Nigeria’s healthcare system can be attributed to underfunding. With less than five percent of the National Budget allocated to healthcare, hospitals struggle with outdated infrastructure, inadequate equipment, and frequent medication shortages. These challenges are even more severe in rural areas, where healthcare facilities are scarce, and patients often have to travel long distances on poor roads just to access basic services. For rural families, the cost and effort of getting care make regular visits nearly impossible, especially for those managing chronic conditions. This frustration led to a 2021 strike by healthcare workers, who criticised the government’s refusal to improve the system and complained of being ill-equipped, overworked and underfunded. The fact that these issues remain shows the urgent need for reform.

Medical centres turn to digital tools in combating healthcare challenges.

With the majority of these problems linked to public healthcare, Private healthcare may appear to be a solution. It however remains inaccessible for most Nigerians due to its high costs. With less than 10 percent of the population covered by health insurance, the vast majority are left to pay for medical care out of pocket. This financial burden forces many to delay or forgo necessary treatments, leading to worsening health conditions and an increase in preventable emergency cases. This leads to both public and private healthcare facilities being overwhelmed, and struggling to meet the growing demand for services from a population facing serious, often unmet healthcare needs.

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As a result, pharmacies and diagnostic centres in Nigeria are relying on digital tools to enhance efficiency and reliability in a struggling healthcare system. Digital inventory systems are helping pharmacies manage stock levels while ensuring medications are available when needed. Meanwhile, diagnostic centres are using digital platforms to streamline test scheduling and quickly deliver results, allowing for faster and more accurate care. These innovations are helping reduce some of the delays and resource shortages that have long plagued the sector.

Heala provides electronic medical records to improve medical efficiency.

Moreover, in underdeveloped regions, where barriers like travel costs and poor road conditions limit access to care, telemedicine offers a hopeful alternative. Virtual consultations allow patients to connect with doctors remotely, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming trips. This is particularly beneficial for patients managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes. A patient with diabetes, for example, can receive regular check-ins, blood sugar monitoring advice, and medication adjustments from the comfort of their home, avoiding frequent lengthy trips. This ensures consistent care without the transportation and financial challenges of in-person visits.

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Although these advances come with their own set of challenges, particularly around Data Security and privacy, which require standard Technology and significant financial investment, digital technology is beginning to make a difference. Health tech companies, like Heala, AfriHealth and Helium Health are introducing innovations that could transform the delivery of healthcare in Nigeria. Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), now implemented in some hospitals, offer a secure, accessible way to track patient information, easing the process for doctors who need quick access to medical histories. By reducing the administrative burden and minimising errors, EMRs play an important role in improving care quality and efficiency.

Related Article: E-health impact on Nigeria Healthcare System

Ultimately, the road to a fully modernised healthcare system in Nigeria is far, but digital technology brings it within reach. By easing administrative burdens, improving access, and empowering patients, health tech solutions are beginning to address the gaps that have persisted for too long in the Nigerian health sector. If embraced by healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities alike, this wave of Digital Innovation could finally bring Nigeria closer to a future where quality care is a right, not a privilege.

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