Stakeholders in the Nigeria’s health sector will converge in Abuja on 26 July, 2023 to discuss role of technological innovations in the fight against pandemic as the world recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic.
The convener of the summit, eHealth Africa, said Nigerian government must reflect on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify new opportunities for innovation in order to combat outbreak of disease before it can escalate into a pandemic.
A statement signed by Judith Owoicho, Communications Manager, and copied to DAILY COMMERCE identified collaboration amongst the stakeholders as key to achieving digital solutions that will improve early detection of potential health emergencies and effective preparedness and response in the country.
This, according to her, informed the upcoming multi-stakeholder Insight Learning Forum, with the theme “Digital Innovations in Public Health Practice: Lessons and Innovations.”
She said, “the forum serves as an annual country digital health learning event, bringing together professionals and practitioners in the digital and public health sectors to share experiences, insights, and knowledge regarding the use of digital health innovations in public health implementation”.
This summit according to Owoicho is expected to showcase emerging digital health tools, platforms, and technologies that are shaping the future of healthcare delivery while also providing a platform to discuss ways to ensure that digital health solutions are accessible and equitable for all populations, regardless of socioeconomic status, geography, or health status.
The statement read, “the Insight Summit presents an opportunity to showcase digital innovations in telemedicine and remote care delivery, digital tools for patient engagement and self-management, artificial intelligence and machine learning in healthcare, data privacy and security in digital health”.
“Some of the innovations to be demonstrated include the Logistics Management System (LoMIS), Vaccine Direct Delivery, Laboratory Management Information System (LAMIS), Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID), among others”, it read.
Reiterating this, Executive Director of the Organization, Atef Fawaz, said, “the past two years have been challenging, with the COVID-19 pandemic exposing the weaknesses in Nigeria’s healthcare systems and their inadequate preparedness and response to health emergencies”.
Mr Fawaz further emphasized the need for organizations to bridge the healthcare gap, particularly in underserved communities across Africa. He stated, “Aligned with our vision at eHA, we believe that communities can achieve better healthcare outcomes through data-driven digital health solutions.
He stated that this underscored the organization’s decision to host a multi-stakeholder Insight Learning Forum, with the theme “Digital Innovations in Public Health Practice: Lessons and Innovations. The forum serves as an annual country digital health learning event, bringing together professionals and practitioners in the digital and public health sectors to share experiences, insights, and knowledge regarding the use of digital health innovations in public health implementation.
Similarly, David Akpan, the Deputy Director of Programs and Impact in Program Delivery, in a remark, expressed his belief that the Insight Learning Forum has the potential to serve as a platform for showcasing digital health solutions that make a profound impact.
He commented, “Building upon the success of the Insight webinar series that commenced over a year ago, we are delighted to inaugurate the Insight Learning Forum. This platform will enable practical demonstrations of digital solutions, highlighting success stories, lessons learned, impacts, and prospects, particularly for Nigeria and Africa’s healthcare systems.”
