The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) has emphasized the urgent need to embrace innovation to address overstretched health infrastructure and transform healthcare delivery in the country.
Prof. Yetunde Kuyinu, Chairman of APHPN Lagos, made the remarks on Thursday during the association’s Biennial and Scientific Conference. The event is themed “Global Health Under Threat: Advancing Sustainable Financing and Workforce Capacity for Equitable Healthcare Delivery in the Global South”, with a 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, faces significant challenges, including emerging diseases, rising non-communicable conditions, financing gaps, and workforce shortages, exacerbated by the “Japa Syndrome.” She stressed that these challenges require the use of technologies capable of bridging operational gaps, improving diagnostics, and extending 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,” Kuyinu said.
She added that AI and data-driven approaches can inform policy decisions, predict disease outbreaks, and optimist workforce deployment, ensuring limited resources are used strategically for maximum impact. Kuyinu advised public health physicians to champion these tools responsibly, ensuring ethical use while maximizing their benefits.
According to her, federal and state governments must increase health financing, strengthen health insurance schemes to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure, and improve healthcare workers’ welfare to retain professionals in the country.
Dr Abiola Idowu, Permanent Secretary of the Health Facilities and Monitoring Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), highlighted the agency’s use of innovative digital tools to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and patient safety. She cited the e-platform for online facility registration and the newly introduced QR codes for public verification and feedback on health facilities, aimed at streamlining operations and combating quackery.
On telemedicine, Idowu noted its importance in bridging healthcare access gaps but stressed the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure safe operation. She called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to enhance patient safety.
Similarly, Dr Solomon Oyetoyan, Director of Medical Services, Lagos State Health District 1, said Lagos benefits from high digital penetration and awareness. He stressed the importance of engaging the public on innovative health tools before implementation to ensure acceptance and inclusion.
Dr Adaora Enyi, Chief Operating Officer of Oncopadi, represented by Dr Aminat Abolade, Chief of Staff, highlighted how the platform leverages technology to decentralize cancer care in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. She emphasized that these innovations have improved patient outcomes, strengthened health systems, and bridged geographical gaps in access to cancer care, particularly in underserved communities.
