Nigeria Calls For Stronger Investment In Digital Health Skills Across Africa
By DIANA CHUKWUKA
NIGERIA has urged African nations to invest more in digital health skills to build resilient and inclusive healthcare systems.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Salako, made the call at the 2025 Africa Health Tech Summit in Kigali, stressing that achieving Universal Health Coverage requires both technology and a digitally skilled workforce.
“Technology is only as effective as the people who use it,” Salako said, urging governments and private partners to invest in training, standardised competencies, and continuous professional development.
He highlighted progress under Nigeria’s Digital in Health Initiative, noting that 76% of tertiary health institutions are partially or fully digitised, with a national Health Information Exchange planned by 2027.
At the summit, Mrs. Njide Ndili, Country Director of PharmAccess Nigeria, said public-private collaboration and support for HealthTech innovations were vital for accelerating digital transformation.
Participants also called for policy reforms, innovation-friendly regulations, and engagement with diaspora professionals to strengthen Africa’s health systems through technology-driven solutions.
