The Head of Application & Development at Bradford Teaching Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Dotun Oluyade, has stated that digital infrastructure is crucial in addressing Nigeria's fragmented health data. He noted that the country's healthcare system faces persistent challenges, including patient information being scattered across various facilities. This fragmentation can lead to delayed diagnosis, repeated investigations, and unnecessary expenses. Oluyade emphasized that a comprehensive digital infrastructure can help resolve these issues.
Oluyade identified two key national infrastructure developments that can help address these challenges: the expansion of Nigeria's national fibre-optic backbone and the rollout of a national postcode system. Fibre-optic connectivity provides the digital channels through which healthcare information can be rapidly transmitted between facilities. A national postcode system can provide a standardized geographic reference that complements patient identifiers and demographic information.
The implementation of a national postcode system and fibre-optic connectivity can significantly enhance the clinical potential of improved connectivity, particularly in medical imaging. With reliable fibre connectivity and cloud infrastructure, diagnostic images can be securely transmitted to specialist centres. This can enable radiologists to review scans from remote facilities, extending specialist expertise beyond major cities and reducing diagnostic turnaround times.
However, Oluyade noted that the next requirement is interoperability. Healthcare organizations often operate different electronic medical record systems, which can hinder the exchange of information. Common standards such as Health Level Seven (HL7) and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) are essential in enabling authorized systems to exchange structured clinical information. This can reduce administrative burden, improve data quality, and minimize unnecessary duplication of investigations.
The economic implications of implementing digital infrastructure can be significant. When previous results and imaging are accessible to authorized clinicians, patients may be less likely to undergo duplicate tests. This can reduce avoidable costs for families and enable scarce healthcare resources to be used more efficiently. By reducing unnecessary tests and procedures, digital infrastructure can help alleviate the financial burden on patients and the healthcare system.
Oluyade emphasized that Nigeria's opportunity is not to digitize individual hospitals but to build an interconnected national health-data ecosystem. This ecosystem can be built on fibre-optic connectivity, postcodes, patient identifiers, and common standards such as HL7 and FHIR. By combining these infrastructure components with strong governance, cybersecurity, and workforce capability, digital infrastructure can become a foundation for more connected, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare across Nigeria.
Ultimately, Oluyade suggested that information should securely and accurately follow the patient, rather than remain trapped within the institution where it was created. When implemented correctly, digital infrastructure can enable the free flow of information, improve patient care, and enhance the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. This can have a significant impact on the quality of healthcare services provided to patients across Nigeria.
Key points
- Digital infrastructure can address Nigeria's healthcare data challenges.
- Fibre-optic connectivity and postcode system are crucial in enhancing healthcare connectivity.
- Interoperability and common standards are essential in enabling the exchange of clinical information.
