Healthcare Informatics Society of Nigeria’s eHealth Solutions in Addressing Socioeconomic Healthcare Inequalities Case Study

With eHealth expanding its influence on healthcare management, the Healthcare Informatics Society of Nigeria (HISN) is one of the major groups establishing and highlighting the importance of information and communications technology in the clinical management of patients. Previously, eHealth’s advantages went unnoticed, but as HISN’s influence expands, so does the appreciation of eHealth in Nigeria. Seminars and training sessions being organized to sensitize and increase the eHealth knowledge and expertise of healthcare workers nationally. The initial outcomes are encouraging.

As expected, there are still many challenges facing eHealth solutions in Nigeria, including fundamentals like internet connectivity and electric power. With the present national administration’s commitment to improve both eHealth knowledge and infrastructure shortages, eHealth should begin to gain ground and traction in Nigeria. Currently, a high-powered initiative is being established within the Nigerian government through HISN to enhance a national policy on eHealth. In 2017, Dr. Omotayo Omojola was appointed the Lagos State Coordinator and since then, positive collaboration and engagement with the Lagos government has increased. Additionally, with the collaboration of HISN with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and other internationally recognized non-governmental organizations, we hope to generate more awareness and increased government support and commitment in Nigeria.

Despite the progress made, the prospects for an eHealth specialist in a developing country like Nigeria can seem very discouraging compared to a more advanced country where a graduate of eHealth is almost certain to have a promising career path post-graduation. Because of this, many eHealth experts have emigrated from the region. If the trend is not reversed through the active participation of major global eHealth stakeholders, the World Health Organization’s vision for 2030 of providing “universal affordable healthcare coverage” may be unachievable.

This case study explores topics relating to the development of healthcare systems and health IT organization in Nigeria.