Nigeria launches committee to implement digital health initiative

The Federal Government has officially launched a 20-member committee tasked with implementing the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative (NDHI), aimed at revolutionising the country’s healthcare data management system.

The initiative seeks to modernise Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure, ushering in an era of efficient data management across healthcare facilities nationwide, led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate,

During the inauguration ceremony held in Abuja, Prof. Pate emphasised the significance of the NDHI in transforming Nigeria’s health sector, highlighting its potential to enhance patient experiences, improve data protection, and ultimately, deliver better health outcomes.

The committee, chaired by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, comprises experts from various fields, including Dr. Edem Adzogenu, Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, and Dr. Gbenga Ijadola, among others. Each member brings valuable insights and experience to the committee’s mission.

Dr. Alausa reiterated the urgent need for standardised data collection and management systems in Nigeria’s healthcare system, emphasising the transition to a digital health infrastructure to address existing challenges effectively.

The Digital in Health Initiative goes beyond the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms, aiming to establish a national unified EMR platform as a central hub for enhancing health system efficiency and ensuring robust monitoring of public health indicators.

The initiative will facilitate seamless data exchange, quality assurance, and research opportunities, strengthening Nigeria’s national health security and promoting accountability across healthcare institutions.

Furthermore, the initiative empowers citizens by granting them ownership of their health data for the first time in Nigeria’s history, enhancing transparency and trust in the healthcare system.

The newly inaugurated committee will play a crucial role in driving policy formulation, regulation, and repository management to support the successful implementation of digital health interventions across the country.