Nigeria’s Digital Health Revolution Stalled by Infrastructure, Power, and Data Challenges
Nigeria’s ambition to transform its healthcare system through digital innovation is facing significant hurdles, according to participants at the Sixth Annual Summit of the Legislative Network on Universal Health Coverage (LNU). Challenges such as limited public digital infrastructure, unreliable power supply, weak data systems, and poor interoperability between digital health platforms are slowing progress and threatening public health and data sovereignty. The summit, themed “Building Responsive, Sustainable Health Systems,” highlighted the urgent need for cohesive strategies to strengthen the country’s digital health ecosystem.
Experts at the summit emphasized that gaps in digital data capture, unreliable data tools, and limited capacity among healthcare workers further hinder the adoption of digital health solutions. High levels of digital illiteracy, particularly among women and vulnerable populations, were identified as barriers that prevent inclusive participation. Participants urged that user interfaces and digital health platforms be designed to engage all sections of society, ensuring equitable access to healthcare innovations.
Senator Ipalibo Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, stressed that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires resilient systems supported by legislative action, sustainable financing, and strong inter-sectoral partnerships. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin added that “the health of a nation is the truest measure of its wealth” and pledged the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to integrating primary healthcare with tertiary institutions, promoting local pharmaceutical production, and ensuring that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) reaches all communities.
The summit also underscored the critical role of digital innovation in improving access, quality of care, and research capabilities. Participants highlighted the need for private sector integration into national health systems, phased solarisation of health facilities, subsidized electricity tariffs, and robust oversight to optimize scarce resources. Climate resilience, health financing reforms, and policies to streamline patient journeys from primary to tertiary care were also emphasized as key factors to achieving sustainable healthcare outcomes.
Recommendations from the summit included adopting open-door legislative policies to accelerate decision-making on data governance and digital health, linking digital skills to professional development for health workers, and legislating to encourage local production of medical commodities to reduce import dependence. Lawmakers also highlighted the constitutional review as a unique opportunity to implement transformative healthcare financing policies that can help Nigeria overcome both systemic and emerging health challenges.
source: The Guardian