We earmarked N14bn to promote digital health — FG

The Federal Government says it earmarked about 14 billion naira seed capital in the 2024 budget as a proof of its commitment to promoting digital health in Nigeria, and further strengthen citizens’ confidence in the nation’s healthcare sector.

The Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Kamil Shoretire, disclosed this at the sidelines of a 3-Day Stakeholders’ Convergence Workshop on the World Health Organisation (WHO), SMART Guidelines in Abuja.

Shoretire, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Dr. Anthony Adoghe, said Nigeria has approached to roll out the guidelines in some aspects of healthcare delivery, but thought it wise to engage the WHO and other stakeholders.

“The private sector is leading the way in rolling out digital technology in healthcare, and the government is providing support through policies, regulations, and funding.”

“Last year, the government allocated about 14 billion naira for digital health initiatives, which is just seed money. There’s still more work to be done, but we’re making progress.”

He also explained that one of the key benefits of digitalizing healthcare is that it reduces friction between patients and healthcare providers.

“With digital tools, patients can trust that they’re receiving accurate diagnoses and quality treatment. This trust is essential for building a robust healthcare system.”

“In addition to improving patient care, digital technology can also help us plan and manage healthcare services more effectively.

“For instance, technology can help us track the number of children who need immunization, manage data, and make informed decisions about healthcare delivery.”

“As we move forward, we need to ensure that we’re deploying digital technology effectively and efficiently.

“We need to continue to engage with stakeholders, share knowledge, and build partnerships to achieve our goals. With the right approach, we can create a robust, data-driven healthcare system that benefits all Nigerians.” He said.

Also speaking, the Monitoring and Evaluation/Data Manager at African Field Epidemiology Network(AFENET), Olasoji Fashogbon, applauded government’s openness towards digitisation and digitalisation of the healthcare system in Nigeria, bearing in mind the vast opportunities it brings.

Fashogbon, explained that the WHO came up with the SMART guideline to guide countries to come up with standards that will ensure uniformity in the development of health solutions and interoperability of such solutions.

“The SMART guidelines provide a global framework for developing digital solutions for health data reporting, ensuring uniformity and system interoperability.”

“Prior to the introduction of the SMART guidelines, Nigeria’s health data reporting systems were fragmented, hindering the government’s efforts to improve data reporting and use.

“The SMART guidelines will enable organisations, health institutions, and agencies to develop standards that guide developers in creating digital health solutions. This will ultimately enhance the quality and efficiency of health data reporting in Nigeria.”

“The adoption of the SMART guidelines marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards improving its health data reporting systems.”

“As a technical expert, I am excited to be part of this process and look forward to seeing the positive impact that the SMART guidelines will have on Nigeria’s healthcare system.”

According to the WHO, the SMART Guidelines is about having standards-based, machine-readable, adaptive, requirement-based, testable framework, above all it is software agnostic.

Nigeria is taking a significant step towards adapting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SMART guidelines to suit its local needs. Although the gold standard for healthcare guidelines is eight, Nigeria is opting for four due to resource constraints.

This adaptation is crucial, as it allows the country to tweak the generic guidelines to fit its unique context, without compromising on quality.

The adaptation process involves reducing costs, time, and inefficiencies while ensuring that the guidelines meet the country’s specific needs.

This approach has garnered enthusiasm and commitment from stakeholders, who recognise the importance of contextualized healthcare. By adopting the SMART guidelines, Nigeria aims to improve the quality of healthcare services, reduce errors, and enhance patient outcomes.

The WHO SMART guidelines provide a framework for countries to develop and implement digital health solutions that are tailored to their local needs.

The guidelines comprise five layers, including narrative, operational, machine-readable, executable, and dynamic components.

By adapting these guidelines, Nigeria is poised to make significant strides in digital healthcare, ultimately benefiting its citizens and improving the overall healthcare system.

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