The emergence of mHealth apps in Nigeria could be felt around the early 2010s, with the larger Mobile Technology ecosystem in the country on an upward trajectory. Growing smartphone penetration and mobile Internet Access provided a base for these health-focused applications. The realization of mobile health apps in Nigeria could be said to be around 2012, with the early initiators starting to fill gaps in healthcare access and delivery. One outstanding example within this category is those apps geared toward improving maternal and child health. For instance, in 2012, a Nigerian startup known as LifeBank began leveraging mobile Technology in facilitating blood donations and improving blood supply management.
Other early initiatives targeted the provision of health information and services directly onto users’ smartphones. Such early mobile health applications were to fill gaps in accessing healthcare facilities, inadequate health information, and efficient health service delivery. Its impact started to increase with the involvement of local and international organizations. For instance, in 2013, mHealth Nigeria, an initiative of the Nigerian government in collaboration with other multiple partners, was established to promote the use of mobile technology on matters concerning health services. This was a huge kick start toward the development and adoption of mobile health solutions, as it gave guidelines, resources, and support to developers and health practitioners.
Smartphone usage and internet connectivity helped propel its rise.
As the health mobile app ecosystem matures, so have the varieties increased. These include, for example, telemedicine—where patients remotely receive consultation from healthcare professionals—and health education, detailing preventative care and care management of diseases. By the mid-2010s, mobile health apps had gained some traction with users and Healthcare Providers in Nigeria as a result of the far broader trend involving digital transformation in health. Further expansion in mobile internet coverage and smartphone adoption paved the way for further growth in the use of mHealth solutions, hence making easy access to healthcare much more possible, leading to better health outcomes. Mobile health applications in Nigeria fill gaps in healthcare access, improve healthcare service delivery, and empower individuals to take control of their health.
Like in all other developing countries, mobile health apps gained much ground in Nigeria as technology improved, smartphone penetration increased, and awareness of their potentials in improving health care access and delivery spread. A rise in smartphone usage and mobile internet connectivity in the early 2010s created an enabling environment for these apps to grow. The Nigerian healthcare sector is characterized by limited access to healthcare facilities, health infrastructure, and a shortage of medical professionals, leading it to turn toward mobile health apps as a way to address these challenges.
Two sample apps in the mHealth space in Nigeria.
Since then, several mHealth apps have gained prominence in Nigeria. Mobihealth International and iWello are two top telemedicine startups in Nigeria, all trying to solve a rather specific solution to improve healthcare accessibility. Mobihealth International makes health services more affordable through its Mobihealth Consult app, available with online appointments, live video consultations, and mobile clinics for remote areas. These companies give educational programs for health professionals and electronic medical records to improve patient care. Mobihealth, with annual plans from ₦2,500 ($5.40) to ₦5,000 ($10.80), covers single individuals, couples, and families, and is trying to bring health care closer to the most disadvantaged communities. On the other hand, iWello—a telemedicine platform—does so through very inclusive pricing: starting at one US Dollar per consultation via chat, audio, or video call.
Surgery funding options are also hosted with both paid and free models, sustained by public donation. This model ensures that people living on less than $1 a day have access to essential healthcare services. Mobile health apps have positively impacted Nigeria’s healthcare sector. The apps increased access to health facilities, mostly in the rural areas where these resources are disproportionately more disadvantaged. These telemedicine apps have enabled patients to see healthcare providers virtually, thereby eliminating the pain of commuting, and improving access to healthcare. Mobile health apps are also in a better position to arm people with Education on health and tools for better management of health. For example, applications offering education on the prevention and management of diseases help the users make informed decisions about their health and to adhere to treatment regimens.
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These mobile health applications have increased efficiency in healthcare delivery by automating activities such as scheduling appointments, management of medical records, and monitoring of patients. Besides, they have improved health outcomes by giving an opportunity for timely intervention, thus increasing patient engagement in the outcome. Data gathered through these apps can help in valuable insights into Public Health planning and resource allocation. This effectively makes the mobile health applications a rather disruptive trend in health service delivery in the Nigerian health sector, bridging gaps, improving access to care, and fostering a more informed and empowered patient population.