Through the development of databases and other applications, technology also provides the capacity to improve health system efficiencies, service delivery and prevent medical errors.
Currently, technology is playing a critical role in improving health care for individuals and communities through the provision of new and more efficient ways of accessing, treatments, communicating, and storing information.
In order to stimulate dialogue and debate on ensuring health for all through the use of new digital technologies, Lagos state is improving its capacity using technology as a driver to advance its healthcare facilities and to plug the gaps in healthcare in the state.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu , Governor of Lagos State among the stakeholders at the future of healthcare in Nigeria policy dialogue in a webinar held recently with the theme ‘surviving the time’ the future of healthcare in Nigeria in facilities, technology and financing said Data; Human Capital and adequate remuneration; Top-notch/well designed and maintained Infrastructure; Equipment and Technology will increase capacity of healthcare.
“Health sector is the only sector that has seen growth among other sectors in Lagos state. Technology in our view must be a drive, and it is a strong enabler and we need to grow it and financially we will continue to push it,” said Sanwo-Olu.
These stakeholders say that with the use of technology, improved healthcare financing and hospital administration separated from clinical services, the state and the country at large can improve its health indices and become a health destination for other Africa countries.
The governor said that Lagos will use technology as a drive and use it to bring healthcare issues closer to the people adding what the state wants to do is to have an active capacity in building on Lagos State health insurance and ramp up their expectations in that space.
According to Sanwo-Olu, learning from the public health issue like COVID-19, we have been able to use the past experiences from Ebola and it has enabled us to build more capacity and competence.
“Government must continuously have responsibilities for its Citizens, the improved facilities and technology is a learning point going forward for Nigeria and we need to balance all of this and do it with the private sector.”
Sanwo-Olu further said prior to the challenge that we do not have data, even as citizens identify ourselves, I am talking about basic data, not even health now. Data will help to put proper demography.
“Infrastructure is one of the major components we are lacking to have developed well on healthcare and it is one thing that is still not available,” He said.
Also speaking Njide Ndili, the country director of PharmAccess Foundation said the basic question we should be asking is why is healthcare not working and a lot of funding is spent in upgrading facilities but where is the trust?
According to Ndili, the point is how we get the demand side of healthcare work in Nigeria and also how we can focus on awareness, advocacy and behavioral changes and that is where technology will come from.
“There are a lot of out of pockets; we have to find a way forward. It is technology that can help the healthcare and we are beginning to see them.
“Artificial intelligence and the ability of machine learning, telemedicine are also key in improving healthcare and it is the power of technology,” She said.
Ndili added that there is a role that technology has to play stating that the country especially Lagos state is seeing daily increase as much as we can expect in COVID-19.
“We need to find and track the movement of the disease and where it is clustered. Technology is the only way going forward to fill the gaps in healthcare with the limited resources of doctors,” she said.
However, Babatunde Fashola, Minister for works and housing said maintenance of facilities should not be seen as a culture, noting that It is a business.
He said that COVID-19 has offered a huge opportunity to sharpen skills to the highest competitive level adding that it is instructive for Nigeria to have a better and clear relationship with original manufacturers who make our equipment.
“Maintenance starts at the design of infrastructure, what Mr Governor has done is to design a blueprint for the primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare for the state,” said Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for health Lagos.
Fashola added that it is important that our health system begins to streamline the management of Covid-19 alongside existing communicable diseases.
We need to invest more as an opportunity to fix the basics of our health system. Improved infection control policies are one key area; for example something as basic as water supplies, primary healthcare, hospitals, clinics, and even public places.
“To better healthcare management, hospital administration must be separated from clinical practice,” he advised.
