Experts have stressed that the adoption of cutting-edge technology is non-negotiable for revitalising Nigeria’s healthcare system, calling for urgent action to close widening gaps.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Faculty of Science Conference of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa—represented by Dr. David Oladele—said Nigeria must embrace global trends to overhaul its healthcare delivery.
With the theme “The Future of Science and Healthcare: Harnessing the Power of Innovation and Technology,” Obafunwa identified telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth) apps, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), data analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning as potential game-changers.
He noted that Nigeria, with over 230 million people—70 percent of whom live in rural areas—still records poor health indicators, including a life expectancy of 53.7 years for men and 55.4 years for women, maternal mortality of 1,047 per 100,000 live births, infant mortality of 69 per 1,000, and under-five mortality of 107 per 1,000.
“Healthcare in Nigeria is further strained by inadequate infrastructure, poor funding, shortage of health professionals, a high disease burden, and limited insurance coverage,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor of UNIMED, Prof. Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, acknowledged the challenges but stressed that collaboration among health professionals, researchers, and technologists could drive innovative solutions.