Healthcare professionals have identified the importance of health insurance coverage, technology adoption and deliberate policy by Government in driving access to healthcare in Nigeria.
According to them, these are necessary measures in ending out of pocket spending and ensuring that a large percentage of the population have coverage.
These were key takeaways at SYNLAB Nigeria webinar with the theme: ‘Expanding Access to Convenient Care’, which was moderated by Kenneth Okolie, CEO of SYNLAB Nigeria.
Adeniyi Adeniran, Public Health Expert and National Professional Officer (Surveillance) at the World Health Organisation (WHO), speaking on “Policy as the Bedrock for Expanding Convenient Care.” stressed the need for strong political will to implement existing health policies in Nigeria. He urged both national and sub-national governments to lead public health projects that foster trust and drive impactful change.
Adeniran recommended a phased approach to policy implementation, prioritising the most pressing health needs while highlighting the importance of effective health insurance coverage to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending. ”
Government must boldly fund health insurance schemes to protect citizens financially while engaging private sector entrepreneurs in developing healthcare infrastructure,” he urged.
Ola Brown, Founder of HealthCap Africa in her presentation “Technology: A Catalyst for Accessible and Convenient Healthcare,” underscored the transformative role of technology in improving healthcare access.
She highlighted how healthtech platforms are connecting patients, doctors, clinics, and pharmacies, creating seamless healthcare ecosystems that enhance service delivery and reduce stockouts, particularly in underserved areas.
Brown also identified Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as crucial in expanding healthcare access, especially in rural communities. “By combining public funding with private sector innovation, we can deploy telemedicine and digital healthcare solutions even in the most remote areas,” she noted.
She explained that Africa’s flexible regulatory environment offers startups the agility to test, refine, and scale healthcare solutions faster than in more rigid markets, driving innovation and improving healthcare outcomes.
Speaking on “Tackling Social and Community Barriers to Healthcare Access,” Bisola Adebayo, public health specialist and epidemiologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), emphasised the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks for effectively assessing healthcare access initiatives. She called for active participation of community leaders in healthcare delivery and stressed the need for comprehensive health literacy programs to empower citizens.
Adebayo also urged health professionals to leverage digital platforms to provide accurate and quality health information. “Health professionals must become more visible on digital platforms to counter misinformation and improve health literacy among Nigerians,” she stated.
Kenneth Okolie, CEO of SYNLAB Nigeria, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to facilitating meaningful conversations that contribute to healthcare improvements across the country.
“At SYNLAB, we believe that expanding access to convenient healthcare is not just a policy conversation, but a collaborative effort involving communities, governments, the private sector, and health professionals. Our webinars are designed to spark these critical conversations and drive collective action,” Okolie said.
The webinar is one of several initiatives by SYNLAB Nigeria aimed at advancing healthcare delivery, promoting innovation, and strengthening health systems nationwide.
