The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) is advocating for the adoption of electronic patient records in hospitals across the state. The agency's Executive Secretary, Dr. Saleh Kaza, stated that the current limited use of the system has restricted its benefits to thousands of patients. He made this call at the agency's third-quarter performance review meeting with Social Health Fund stakeholders held in Maiduguri on October 11, 2026.
Dr. Kaza noted that the electronic system in the health sector has remained underused for over four decades in the state. The implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) has been largely confined to BOSCHMA clinics in several facilities, leaving the system's full potential unrealized. He urged hospital managements to make electronic records available across service points, enabling doctors, nurses, and other authorized personnel to update patient information as care progresses.
The proposed expansion of electronic records aims to make patient information more readily available and reduce the need for repeated documentation. Dr. Kaza stated that the system is designed to be user-friendly and accessible through computers and smartphones. This would improve access to patients' medical histories, reduce repeated documentation, and help address delays associated with missing folders.
However, Dr. Kaza identified gaps in electronic claims submissions, which could delay reimbursement to healthcare facilities. Some providers fail to indicate whether patients received inpatient or outpatient care, while others lack diagnosis details. He warned that incomplete documentation could affect claims processing and reimbursement, emphasizing the need for adequate training and consistent updates to electronic records.
BOSCHMA's Director of Service Quality Assurance, Dr. Inna Alimi, highlighted challenges affecting some facilities, including inadequate medical equipment, shortages of essential drugs, staff absenteeism, and early clinic closures. She called for stronger supervision, staff orientation, timely claims submissions, and compliance with approved healthcare service packages.
Dr. Alimi acknowledged improvements in electronic drug dispensing and patient satisfaction at some facilities, while urging others to address operational weaknesses. The agency's concerns about incomplete reimbursement claims and service delivery problems, including shortages of essential medicines and inadequate equipment, were also raised.
The Borno State health agency's push for electronic records in hospitals aims to address these challenges and improve healthcare services. With over two dozen hospitals in the state, the adoption of EHR is expected to enhance patient care and reduce delays associated with manual record-keeping.
Key points
- - The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) urges hospitals to adopt electronic patient records to improve access to medical histories and reduce delays. - The agency highlights gaps in electronic claims submissions, which could delay reimbursement to healthcare facilities. - The proposed expansion of electronic records aims to make patient information more readily available and reduce the need for repeated documentation.
