By Oluwafunke Ishola
The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) says embracing innovation has become a necessity to address overstretched health infrastructure and transform the country’s healthcare delivery.
Prof. Yetunde Kuyinu, Chairman of APHPN Lagos, said this during the association’s Biennial and Scientific Conference on Thursday.
The conference has the theme, “Global Health Under Threat: Advancing Sustainable Financing and Workforce Capacity for Equitable Healthcare Delivery in the Global South”.
It has its sub-theme on “Innovations in Health System Strengthening: Leveraging Digital Health, Telemedicine, and Artificial Intelligence to Bridge Operational Gaps in Nigeria”.
Kuyinu noted that the global health system, particularly in Nigeria, is facing significant challenges, including emerging diseases, rising non-communicable conditions, financing gaps, and workforce shortages, especially with the “Japa Syndrome”.
These challenges, she said, required leveraging technologies which had the potential to bridge operational gaps, improve diagnostics, and extend care to underserved populations.
“In Nigeria, where health infrastructure is often stretched thin, embracing these innovations is not a luxury–it is a necessity.
“By integrating technology into routine health service delivery, we can overcome geographical barriers, reduce operational inefficiencies, and enhance patient outcomes.
“Furthermore, AI and data-driven approaches can inform policy decisions, predict disease outbreaks, and optimise workforce deployment, ensuring that limited resources are used strategically for maximum impact.”
She advised public health physicians to champion these tools responsibly, ensuring ethical use while maximising their impact to improve health outcomes.
According to her, the Federal Government and state governments must increase health financing, strengthen health insurance to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure and improve the welfare of healthcare workers to retain professionals in the country.
Dr Abiola Idowu, Permanent Secretary, Health Facilities and Monitoring Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), disclosed that the agency had deployed innovative digital tools to enhance operational efficiency, transparency and promote patient safety.
Idowu highlighted the agency’s e-platform for online facility registration and the recently inaugurated QR codes for public verification of health facilities and feedback, aiming to streamline operations and combat quackery.
On telemedicine, Idowu underscored its importance in bridging healthcare access, however, she stressed the need for regulatory frameworks on its operation.
She highlighted ongoing state and national efforts to establish policy guidelines and laws for telemedicine, calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to enhance patient safety.
Similarly, Dr Solomon Oyetoyan, Director, Medical Services, Lagos State Health District 1, said Lagos had a high digital penetration and awareness.
Oyetoyan stressed the need for deeper public engagement on innovative health tools before their introduction, especially by the government to engender public inclusion and acceptance of the tool.
Dr Adaora Enyi, Chief Operating Officer, Oncopadi, noted that the platform had leveraged technology to decentralise cancer care in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Enyi, represented by Dr Aminat Abolade, Chief of Staff, Oncopadi, emphasised that these technologies had enhanced patient outcomes, strengthened health systems, and bridged the geographical gaps in cancer care access, especially in underserved communities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
