Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Jonathan push for accessible healthcare
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday expressed concern that millions of Nigerians still trek long distances to access medical services, with many losing their lives to preventable diseases such as malaria.
Nigeria bears the highest malaria burden in the world, accounting for about 27 percent of global cases and 31 percent of malaria-related deaths.
The 2023 World Malaria Report estimated around 200,000 malaria deaths in the country that year. Children under five remain the most vulnerable, with about 80 percent of malaria deaths in 2022 occurring within this age group, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking at the launch of the Care365 Health Hub in Abuja, Obasanjo said it was unacceptable that, in an era driven by artificial intelligence, a Nigerian child could still die of malaria simply because her mother could not afford the trip to the nearest health facility.
Obasanjo, Abdulsalami, Jonathan push for accessible healthcare
The Care365 Health Hub is an innovative healthcare platform designed to improve access and delivery. It includes the Care365 Health Monitoring Kiosk — a smart, self-service device that provides instant vital checks such as blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, and oxygen levels.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s vision at independence and during his time in government, Obasanjo said healthcare was never intended to be a privilege for the wealthy or those living in cities.
“It was to be a fundamental right. Millions of Nigerians still walk miles to reach a health post. Still, many die from preventable situations and conditions, and still more live in places where the nearest doctor is hours away, often reachable only by bad roads,” he said.
He said Care365 represents more than just a technological innovation, but a transformative solution capable of extending healthcare access to underserved communities.
“It is no longer acceptable that, in the age of artificial intelligence and space tourism, a Nigerian child should die of malaria because her mother couldn’t afford to travel to the nearest health facility. It is unacceptable that young people in remote communities go blind untreated because there’s no eye clinic.
“These are not just failures of infrastructure; they are failures of empathy and leadership at all levels. Care365 reminds us that technology can and should be human, that innovation should uplift, not isolate. Technology should promote inclusion and make health services accessible to all,” he said.
Obasanjo urged the federal and state governments, along with other stakeholders, to integrate Care365 into primary healthcare and emergency systems to ensure wider access and scale up the initiative.
Nigeria’s health facilities grossly inadequate
– Abdulsalami
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), described Nigeria’s medical facilities as “grossly inadequate,” stressing the urgent need for investment and innovation in the health sector.
Sharing his experiences, Abdulsalami said both his years as a soldier and later as Head of State exposed him to the widespread challenges Nigerians face in accessing quality medical care.
“As a soldier, I have travelled across this country — North to South, East to West. During my tenure as Head of State, I also witnessed firsthand the numerous challenges our people face in accessing quality medical care. Unfortunately, the facilities are grossly inadequate across the country to access medical care,” he said.
He said urgent steps must be taken to bridge the gap and ensure that ordinary Nigerians, particularly those living in remote communities, have access to proper healthcare.
Jonathan urges youths to embrace digital innovation
Former President Goodluck Jonathan stated that digital solutions are crucial to enhancing access to quality medical care.
He described the Care365 digital health initiative as a timely intervention capable of saving lives and reducing the country’s dependence on medical tourism.
Recalling a personal experience from his tenure as Bayelsa State governor, Jonathan said his Chief of Staff died after being flown to hospitals in London and Cape Town in South Africa, without a clear diagnosis.
“If we had something like Care365, then I believe the story would have been different. This platform can help guide patients to the right hospitals quickly, saving time, money, and lives,” he said.
Jonathan also urged Nigerian youths to channel their technological skills toward productive ventures rather than negative uses.
“Instead of deploying your knowledge for things that create problems for our country, deploy your skills productively. You can make even more money using that knowledge, while helping to move the country forward,” he said.
He further noted that digital innovation is already transforming sectors such as agriculture and must equally be embraced in healthcare. “Without the digital revolution, we cannot move forward as a people,” he added.
Pate outlines four-pillar strategy for health transformation
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has unveiled a four-pillar strategy to transform Nigeria’s health sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
According to Pate, the framework is anchored on governance reforms, improved health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and strengthening health security.
On governance, he underscored the need for collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, in addition to civil society and the private sector, while ensuring transparency and accountability.
The second pillar, improved health outcomes, will prioritize expanding primary healthcare, strengthening referral systems, and scaling initiatives like Care365 to make healthcare more affordable through broader health insurance coverage.
The Minister also emphasized that health should be viewed as an economic investment. He noted that private sector participation — from banks, innovators, and entrepreneurs — could create jobs, stimulate industrial growth, and drive healthcare innovation.
On health security, Pate stressed the importance of building resilience during crises, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic as a lesson on how emergencies can disrupt access to facilities. He said technology-driven hubs such as Care365 are crucial to ensuring continuity of services in such times.
The CEO and Founder of Care365, Ngozi Odumuko, said the hub was designed to make healthcare in Nigeria more affordable, accessible, and of higher quality. She explained that the model relies on technology and innovation to connect citizens with care, similar to systems in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
“The reason for this vision is to make healthcare both affordable and accessible. While ensuring quality healthcare is valuable to the citizens of Nigeria, we are here to support the federal agencies and to provide adequate care for every citizen, because care for citizens matters a lot,” she said.
Nigeria spends $120 per capita on healthcare, government contributes only $30
Earlier on Monday, Pate disclosed that Nigeria currently spends about $120 per capita on healthcare, with the government contributing just $30 while the bulk is covered by out-of-pocket payments.
Speaking at the opening of the National Health Financing Dialogue in Abuja, the minister warned that the imbalance exposes vulnerable Nigerians and highlighted the need to mobilize resources more efficiently to strengthen the health system.
“Today, Nigeria spends roughly $120 per capita on health. Two-thirds of that comes from out-of-pocket spending, about $30 per capita from the government, and less than 10 percent from development partners. That is like trying to ride a bicycle while comparing ourselves to countries operating on the level of a Rolls-Royce,” he said.
Pate noted that as the Nigerian economy grows and government revenue expands, more funds must be allocated to the health sector.
Comments
Post a Comment