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Can technology address Nigeria’s health crisis?

It’s early morning in Lagos, and hospitals across the city are already teeming with patients. In a country with over 200 million people, public hospitals and clinics are the lifeline for families who can’t afford private care. But these facilities are overstretched—waiting rooms are packed, and doctors are exhausted. Imagine a doctor responsible for 2,500 patients, whereas the World Health Organization recommends a ratio of 1:600. It’s no wonder Nigeria’s healthcare system is buckling under the weight of such demand.

Years of neglect have left Nigeria’s public healthcare system deeply underfunded and under-resourced. This isn’t just a matter of insufficient budgets—although the government allocates less than 5 per cent of its annual budget to healthcare. The result is crumbling infrastructure, outdated equipment, and a shortage of essential medications in public hospitals. For rural communities, the situation is even more dire. Often, there are few to no healthcare facilities, meaning that residents must travel long distances, sometimes over many hours on poor roads, to access even the most basic medical services. Even then, the care they receive is limited due to overburdened staff and lack of essential supplies.

For most Nigerians, private healthcare is an alternative only in name. Private facilities, while offering better standards of care, come with high costs that are simply out of the reach of many citizens. Health insurance, which could serve as a financial cushion, covers less than 10% of the population. Without insurance, Nigerians are forced to pay for medical expenses out of pocket, which can be a crippling financial burden. A single health emergency could push a family into poverty, and as a result, many people delay seeking care until their conditions worsen—a dangerous cycle that compounds the country’s health crisis.

In this environment, the cracks in the system are visible at every level. Hospitals struggle to manage patient data effectively. Without integrated electronic medical records, patient histories are either misplaced or poorly documented in handwritten files. This disorganised approach makes it hard for healthcare providers to deliver accurate and timely care, especially in emergencies. Data fragmentation also paves the way for unqualified practitioners to operate unchecked, leading to malpractice and putting lives at risk. The lack of accountability within the system leaves patients vulnerable to substandard care and even exploitation.
Operational costs present yet another challenge, especially for private healthcare facilities. High electricity tariffs, expensive medical equipment, and the cost of maintaining qualified staff significantly raise expenses. Private hospitals, unlike public ones, do not receive subsidies to offset these costs. Meanwhile, commercial banks often hesitate to provide loans to healthcare entrepreneurs due to perceived risks and a lack of structured financial support for the sector. This financial strain makes it difficult for private hospitals to expand, modernise, or even maintain current service levels. With limited investment, private healthcare remains an exclusive option for the affluent, further widening the gap in access to quality care.

As Nigeria’s population continues to grow, the demand for healthcare services increases, putting additional pressure on an already strained system. The interplay of poor funding, inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and a growing patient population creates a vicious cycle. Public hospitals are unable to upgrade or expand their services, leading to increased wait times, rushed consultations, and diminished quality of care. The private sector, in turn, faces higher operating costs and limited capacity to cater to the broader population. This cycle, if not addressed, threatens to worsen the healthcare crisis and deepen existing disparities in access and quality.

But even in this chaos, there is a glimmer of hope—health technology. Across Nigeria, health tech companies are stepping in to re-imagine how healthcare is delivered. One of these companies is Heala, a health tech firm focused on transforming healthcare delivery through digital innovation. They believe that by using technology to close gaps and connect people, Nigeria can move toward a more equitable healthcare system.
Digital solutions are emerging to streamline healthcare processes. Imagine a hospital where Electronic Medical Records securely store patient information. Instead of searching through endless paperwork, doctors can quickly access a patient’s medical history, allowing them to make faster, more accurate decisions. This isn’t just a pipe dream—EMRs are now a reality, enabling hospitals to reduce redundant paperwork and focus more on patient care. By easing administrative burdens, healthcare workers can attend to more patients in less time, cutting down long waiting hours that have plagued hospitals for years.

Beyond hospital corridors, technology is bridging the gaps in pharmacies and laboratories. Imagine a pharmacy where digital platforms automatically manage medication inventories and order processing. Patients get their medications on time, and pharmacies spend less time sorting out stock issues. Similarly, diagnostic centres can leverage digital tools to streamline test scheduling and results delivery, ensuring patients receive timely care.
For people living in rural or underserved regions, the barriers to accessing healthcare can be overwhelming. The rising cost of petrol makes travel expensive, and poor roads can turn a short journey into an ordeal. However, telemedicine offers a way around these obstacles. Through virtual consultations, patients can speak to doctors from the comfort of their homes. It’s a game-changer, especially for elderly patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes or arthritis, who can now access regular care without frequent hospital visits.

Health Maintenance Organizations face their challenges. Managing enrollments, claims, and patient coverage is a cumbersome process, often resulting in frustrated patients and insurers. Digital platforms are now stepping in to reduce these inefficiencies, creating a more transparent and efficient claims process. This can improve patient satisfaction while potentially lowering insurance premiums—a win-win for everyone involved.

Health tech companies like Heala are striving to create an interconnected healthcare ecosystem by offering a comprehensive suite of digital tools. Imagine being able to consult a doctor virtually, schedule medical tests, order medications, and access your health records all from one platform. Hospitals can utilise their EMR system to streamline patient management, while pharmacies and laboratories benefit from more efficient medication orders and test result management.

 What sets the tech firm apart is its commitment to integrating data and delivering actionable insights to healthcare providers. This means that decision-makers in hospitals and clinics can rely on data to improve their services. Developers can also customise the platform’s features using Heala’s API, making it adaptable to the needs of different facilities.

The firm’s vision doesn’t stop at digital innovation. The company is dedicated to supporting community health through HealaX, a digital health innovation hub designed to empower local health initiatives. Additionally, their “Hands of Heala” programme focuses on building sustainable community health efforts across the country.
Building a more inclusive and efficient healthcare system in Nigeria won’t happen overnight. Success depends on collaboration between healthcare providers, government agencies, and tech companies. While digital solutions are not a cure-all, they offer practical ways to bridge long-standing gaps in the healthcare system. By placing technology at the heart of healthcare, Nigeria can move toward a future where access to quality healthcare is no longer a privilege, but a right.

Of course, digital health solutions come with their own set of challenges. Protecting sensitive health information and ensuring data privacy are critical, and achieving high standards in this area requires significant investment and technical expertise. But companies like Heala are ready to face these challenges head-on, setting a new standard for digital health in Nigeria.

Despite the sizable obstacles, hope for Nigeria’s healthcare system is being rekindled by digital innovation. Companies like Heala are leading the charge, and their efforts—if supported by the right policies and partnerships—could transform the nation’s healthcare landscape for good.

Akindele is a health systems expert and certified management consultant. He lives in Ibadan.

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