Experts in health and technology have cautioned that digital innovations alone cannot resolve Nigeria's healthcare challenges, calling on governments and development partners to focus on sustainable financing and institutional ownership. The call was made on Tuesday at the Insights Learning Forum (ILF) 2026, eHealth Africa's flagship digital health conference held in Abuja. The two-day event gathered policymakers, healthcare professionals, development partners, technology experts, investors, researchers, and government officials from Nigeria and other African countries to explore practical solutions for strengthening health systems across the continent.
Beyond Digital Innovation
Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programmes at eHealth Africa, stated that the success of digital health initiatives should be measured not by the number of projects launched but by their ability to remain functional long after implementation. She urged stakeholders to prioritize institutional ownership, sustainable financing, and accountability to ensure interventions outlast donor funding. According to her, responsibility extends beyond governments to development partners, investors, technology companies, implementers, and community organizations. She emphasized focusing on practical, achievable commitments rather than ambitious promises. "Our hope is that by this time next year, we will be counting outcomes produced from this year's forum," she said, adding that a single meaningful commitment—whether a new partnership, financing pathway, or systems integration—would have greater impact than multiple declarations that fail to translate into action.
Digital Tools Are Not Enough
Adam Thompson, Group Chief Executive Officer of eHealth Africa, noted that nearly two decades of experience taught the organization that technology alone cannot solve the continent's healthcare challenges. When eHealth Africa was established in 2009, its focus was building digital systems for public health programmes. However, the organization realized that digital platforms only succeed when supported by reliable infrastructure, trained personnel, logistics, and operational systems. "We realized we were trying to deliver the last mile of a system when the road had not yet been built," Thompson said. This prompted a broader approach, investing not only in digital platforms but also in the operational systems needed to make technologies work effectively. He stressed that digital health solutions cannot deliver results where health facilities lack electricity, equipment, supply chains, trained workers, or sustainable financing.
Speed of Financing Saves Lives
Thompson highlighted that the speed of fund release often determines the success of emergency responses. "When a public health emergency happens, the most important thing is how fast you move money," he said. Delays in financing slow the deployment of medical equipment, diagnostics, and essential supplies, reducing response effectiveness. Efficient financing systems are as critical as data and digital tools during disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
Improving Primary Healthcare
Thompson also shared lessons from eHealth Africa's investment in primary healthcare through its eHA Clinics initiative. He observed that many Nigerians spend money seeking treatment from various providers before arriving at a primary healthcare centre, often leaving them without enough resources for the care they need. Health systems should be designed to reach patients earlier, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment before conditions worsen. He questioned why many professionals working to improve primary healthcare facilities would not choose those same facilities for themselves or their families. "We had to ask ourselves why we would not take our own families to these facilities. Once we answered that question, it became easier to identify what needed to change," he said. The organization's primary healthcare model evolved gradually from lessons learned while supporting public health programmes.
Partnerships Remain Critical
Thompson emphasized that collaboration has been central to eHealth Africa's work, describing partnerships as more than formal agreements. The organization has supported partners by sharing office space, technical expertise, logistics, and operational resources to help public health programmes succeed. He thanked governments, development partners, and other organizations that have collaborated with eHealth Africa over the years.
