FG Pledges to Expand Digital Technologies in Healthcare Delivery
The Federal Government has made a firm commitment to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across Nigeria's health sector. This initiative aims to enhance access to quality healthcare services for all citizens, leveraging innovations such as telemedicine, interoperable electronic health records, and a national health information exchange system.
Minister Salako's Announcement at World Health Day Event
Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, announced this pledge during an event in Abuja marking World Health Day, organized by the ministry. He emphasized that technology is revolutionizing healthcare globally, from telemedicine to artificial intelligence in diagnostics and digital health records. Salako stated that the government is determined to ensure Nigeria keeps pace with these global trends, enabling citizens to benefit from world-class healthcare services.
Salako highlighted that Nigeria's health sector, like many others worldwide, faces persistent structural challenges. These include gaps in the health workforce, migration of skilled professionals, unreliable electricity supply to health facilities, and limited local manufacturing capacity for medicines, vaccines, and other health commodities. He stressed that addressing these issues requires sustained and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
Science as the Foundation for Health Progress
The minister underscored that science remains the cornerstone of public health advancement. Innovations in vaccines, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and digital health systems continue to save millions of lives annually. Salako noted that Nigeria's health system must navigate a complex epidemiological transition, characterized by a high burden of infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV, alongside a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and cancers.
He affirmed that government policies and interventions will be guided by credible data and evidence to build a more responsive, equitable, and resilient health system. This system aims to meet both present and future healthcare needs effectively.
Vision for an Inclusive Health Sector
Salako articulated a clear vision for Nigeria's health sector, where every Nigerian, regardless of income level, geographic location, or social status, should have access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship. He declared that healthcare should not depend on a person's ability to pay but should be accessible to all as a fundamental right of citizenship.
Reflecting on this year's World Health Day theme, "Together for Health: Stand with Science," Salako described it as timely. He urged governments, scientists, health professionals, and communities to ensure that health policies and decisions are guided by evidence, research, and collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust in science and evidence-based policymaking, stressing that health decisions must be informed by data, knowledge, and collective responsibility.
Addressing Global Health Security and Climate Change
The minister noted that global health security depends on the ability to monitor and respond to threats emerging at the interface of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Nigeria has fully embraced the One Health approach, as evidenced by its experience with zoonotic outbreaks, including the ongoing response to Lassa fever. Salako stressed the importance of coordinated surveillance and response across sectors, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening collaboration among health, agriculture, environment, and research institutions for early detection and effective response to emerging health threats.
Additionally, Salako highlighted that climate change is increasingly affecting health outcomes through rising temperatures, flooding, shifting disease patterns, and environmental degradation. This further underscores the need for integrated, science-driven approaches that protect both human and environmental health.
Ongoing Reforms and Initiatives
Salako assured that the government will continue implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the health system and expanding access to quality care, with a primary focus on primary healthcare as the foundation. Efforts are ongoing to upgrade primary healthcare centres, strengthen the workforce, improve supply chains for essential medicines, and expand access to life-saving services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He reported that utilization of primary healthcare services has risen significantly, from about 10 million visits in early 2024 to approximately 45 million by mid-2025, reflecting growing public confidence in the system. Salako also highlighted the Power for Health Initiative, which aims to address energy deficits in health facilities and ensure that at least 30 per cent are sustainably powered by 2027.
The minister commended the World Health Organisation for its longstanding support in strengthening disease surveillance, emergency response systems, immunisation coverage, and maternal and child health in Nigeria.
Permanent Secretary's Remarks
Earlier at the event, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Daju Kachollom, stated that the ministry has continued to pursue reforms aimed at improving access to affordable and equitable healthcare services. She stressed the need to build resilient health systems capable of responding to current and emerging challenges. Kachollom noted that World Health Day provides an opportunity for Nigeria to reflect on progress, renew commitments, and strengthen collective efforts to improve the health and well-being of all citizens.
