By Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure is under serious scrutiny. Professor Peter Okebukola, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), raised alarms about the country’s lack of healthcare delivery systems during a recent educational event in Osun State. While the training of health professionals is advancing, the infrastructure to support their work remains severely lacking. Okebukola’s comments echoed the concerns of many experts calling for not just better training but also a solid framework for healthcare delivery.
Quality Training Won’t Save Lives Without Infrastructure
“It’s not just about training quality professionals,” said Okebukola. His argument highlights the critical issue that without the necessary healthcare facilities, even the best-trained doctors and nurses are left powerless. He pointed out that Nigeria has a robust academic structure for training healthcare workers. Professors and experts have been volunteering their time and expertise to ensure that students in various health sciences programs receive top-notch education.
But there’s a problem. The infrastructure is simply not there. Hospitals and clinics are understaffed, ill-equipped, and in many cases, inaccessible to the general public.
- Top medical professionals are contributing to training.
- The curriculum is advanced and future-facing.
- Practical learning is emphasized, not just theory.
It’s clear that Nigeria is setting up its healthcare students for success. But without proper buildings, equipment, and access to medicine, that success won’t translate into better health for Nigerians. Okebukola made it clear: better infrastructure must follow better education, or the system will continue to fail.
Digital Technology: The Hope for a New Healthcare System
At a recent healthcare conference in Lagos, the focus shifted to digital technology. Several prominent figures, including Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, former Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) president Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, and healthcare providers, advocated for a digital revolution in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Prof. Abayomi outlined an ambitious vision where every citizen, regardless of income, would have access to healthcare through a robust insurance framework. He noted the pressing need to extend health insurance to both formal and informal sectors to cover all citizens. According to Abayomi, expanding insurance coverage would inject more resources into the healthcare system, allowing for broader and more consistent service delivery.
This is where technology comes in.
Digital tools can streamline patient enrollment, making it easier for residents to access health insurance. Not only would this improve accessibility, but it would also reduce inefficiencies in healthcare service delivery.
- Digital technology improves healthcare accessibility.
- It enhances the efficiency of healthcare providers.
- Lagos State is committed to ensuring every resident has health insurance.
The challenges, however, remain. While government efforts are underway, many Lagosians are still hesitant to adopt health insurance, and the informal sector remains difficult to track.
Will Technology Transform Nigeria’s Health Insurance?
Dr. Jephtan Aletan, Head of Design and Product at Wellahealth Technologies Limited, believes that the future of healthcare lies in the digital realm. Speaking at the same conference, Aletan emphasized that the time for change is now. He pointed to how digital technology can help streamline the nation’s health insurance system, making it easier for people to access care.
Imagine a system where your health records are just a few clicks away, and signing up for health insurance is as simple as downloading an app. That’s the potential of digital healthcare in Nigeria. Aletan stressed that Nigeria’s healthcare system needs this transformation if it hopes to deliver better services to all citizens.
Healthcare providers also recognize the need for digital transformation. Abiola Paul-Ozieh, the Chairman of the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN), commended Lagos State’s efforts and urged other states to follow suit. She believes that if healthcare providers and government officials work together, the digital revolution could become a reality.
Expanding Health Coverage: Can It Happen Nationwide?
In addition to the call for better infrastructure and digital solutions, former LCCI President Dr. Olawale-Cole emphasized the need for a national approach. Lagos is only one state, and while its efforts are commendable, the real challenge is expanding healthcare access to the entire country.
Olawale-Cole said that leveraging digital technology is crucial, but so is ensuring that providers across the nation adhere to high standards. A regulatory framework would need to be in place to monitor healthcare providers and ensure they are delivering quality care.
As of now, many Nigerians are not enrolled in any form of health insurance, and without that safety net, they are at risk. The hope is that through innovative approaches, digital solutions, and better infrastructure, Nigeria can begin to fix its healthcare system.