Nigeria hosts Future of Health Conference to scale medical innovation

The 11th Future of Health Conference, organized by Nigeria Health Watch, took place in Abuja to address the transition from medical innovation to practical, large-scale impact. The event focused on how digital health, artificial intelligence, and new diagnostics can improve healthcare delivery and reduce financial hardship for Nigerians.

Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), emphasized the need for solutions tailored to local contexts. He noted that the NHIA’s emergency obstetric care program has benefited approximately 90,000 women over an 18-month period, aiming to prevent medical emergencies from causing financial poverty.

Discussions also covered the challenges of high out-of-pocket health expenditures, which accounted for roughly 72% of Nigeria’s health spending in 2023. Participants explored the role of financing, domestic pharmaceutical production, and vaccine research in building a more resilient healthcare ecosystem.