Expert urges FG to digitalise health sector

Zaid Olanrewaju, a digital public health expert, strongly advocates for the urgent digitalization of Nigeria’s health sector to bolster healthcare service delivery. Stressing the necessity during an address in Abuja, Olanrewaju emphasized the pivotal role of a national digital health blueprint in integrating health information and providers across the country.

He highlighted that this initiative would not only foster the evolution of health technology but also enable the integration of patient and provider data, along with establishing a robust digital health infrastructure. Olanrewaju asserted that this framework would be fundamental in implementing a comprehensive approach to enhance Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

Moreover, he underscored the blueprint’s potential to aid the government in achieving its objective of providing affordable and quality healthcare to the populace. Olanrewaju estimated that digitalizing the health sector could elevate efficiency by 15%, translating into a value increase to US$18 billion. Furthermore, the blueprint aims to enroll approximately 50 million Nigerians into the health insurance scheme.

The expert outlined key components of the blueprint, including the establishment of a national health database and the implementation of electronic health records and clinical workflow management systems. These elements, he emphasized, would ensure evidence-based, patient-centered care, safeguard data for national research, and streamline planning efforts.

Overall, Olanrewaju emphasized that embracing digitalization in the health sector is crucial for Nigeria’s healthcare system, enabling advancements that would significantly benefit both providers and patients alike.