In a bid to address Nigeria’s pressing healthcare challenges, OneBarrow International Ltd organized a Health Equity Conference on Thursday in Abuja, bringing together key stakeholders to explore how technology can be harnessed to promote integrated care solutions.
Themed “Transforming Healthcare: Uniting Providers through Technology for Integrated Care Solutions,” the event featured notable speakers and industry experts, including the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate.
Delivering his address, Pate, represented by Dr. Ekam Ethel, Assistant Director of NGO Coordination at the Ministry of Health, acknowledged that Nigeria continues to grapple with significant health challenges.
He cited the ongoing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and highlighted the acute shortage of trained healthcare workers, exacerbated by the migration of professionals to other countries.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reversing this trend, emphasizing the importance of innovation in healthcare.
Pate stressed that technological advancements such as telemedicine and data analytics offer the potential to bridge the gaps in healthcare access and quality.
“As we gather in an era defined by rapid technological advancement, we must recognize that these innovations hold tremendous potential to bridge gaps in healthcare access and quality.
From telemedicine that connects underserved populations with critical medical services to data analytics that inform policy decisions, technology can be a powerful ally in our pursuit of health equity,” he said.
The Minister further noted the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the adoption of digital healthcare solutions.
“The pandemic has changed the game for the healthcare sector, demonstrating the urgent need for systems that can not only prepare for but also recover from and absorb shocks. No country can afford not to invest in health, as diseases do not recognize borders,” he added.
Earlier, the CEO of OneBarrow International Yemi Ajao, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating an ecosystem that unites healthcare providers through technology.
In his address, Ajao explained that OneBarrow has developed a unique solution that fosters collaboration among doctors, pharmacists, and laboratories to ensure a seamless and integrated healthcare experience.
“OneBarrow’s health initiative brings together all stakeholders within the healthcare system doctors, pharmacists, laboratory technicians under one platform. By leveraging technology, we aim to break down barriers between these professions, facilitating better communication, faster diagnoses, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes,” Ajao said.
He added that the success of this initiative depends on effective collaboration and adherence to appropriate policies.
“The future of healthcare lies in our ability to work together, share information securely, and ensure that our policies reflect the evolving needs of both providers and patients. Only by creating this synergy can we achieve a truly transformative healthcare system.”
The conference underscored the urgent need for collective action in tackling the systemic challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
With OneBarrow leading the charge, the focus remains on leveraging technology to foster inclusivity and improve access to quality healthcare for all Nigerians.
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