eHealth Africa Partners with BellaNaija to Champion Adolescent Girls’ Health

Lagos, Nigeria – April 9, 2025eHealth Africa, a leader in data-driven digital health innovations and mobile/web-based solutions that enhance healthcare access for underserved communities, has partnered with BellaNaija, a leading lifestyle and media platform to improve the health and well-being of women and adolescent girls across Africa. This strategic collaboration underscores a shared commitment to spotlight and address the unique health challenges faced by adolescent girls, particularly those in underserved, rural, and economically disadvantaged communities.

Over the past month, this advocacy campaign through a series of features, engagements, and live events has raised awareness, bridged knowledge gaps, and championed innovative solutions to improve access to healthcare for adolescent girls. The campaign culminated in a High Tea event hosted by BellaNaija Style, spotlighting the need to address the cultural, accessibility, and economic factors impacting adolescent girls’ health.  

Speaking at the event, eHealth Africa’s Director of Partnerships and Programs,  Ota Akhigbe decried the harsh realities many Adolescent girls face, “Families, especially in low-income and hard-to-reach areas, often struggle just to put food on the table. When resources are stretched, healthcare for their young women and girls becomes a secondary concern.”

To address challenges like this, eHealth Africa emphasized the need for multi-sectoral collaboration, urging stakeholders from government to private enterprises to support initiatives through innovative funding and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “Sustainable change requires intentional investment. Our work with BellaNaija illustrates how media partnerships can amplify community voices while also attracting the kinds of diverse funding streams needed to scale impact,” Akhigbe said.

eHealth Africa brings to this partnership a proven track record of building scalable digital health ecosystems that has impacted communities across Nigeria and Africa. These include the deployment of solutions like the Logistics Management Information Systems (LoMIS) in partnership with the Sokoto State government to ensure end-to-end logistics and last-mile vaccine delivery systems. Similarly, eHealth Africa is currently piloting its Blood Information System for Crisis Intervention and Management (BISKIT) in partnership with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, to ensure a sufficient supply of safe and quality-assured blood and blood products. We have also  consistently deployed Geographic Information Systems and digital planning tools like Planfeld to reach every child with vaccines and other medical supplies. 

By integrating innovation with community engagement, eHealth Africa remains a trusted partner for organizations working to make meaningful contributions to public health outcomes across the continent. These capabilities position eHealth Africa as a trusted partner for anyone seeking to make meaningful contributions to public health. As the partnership with BellaNaija evolves, we will continue to drive grassroots advocacy, deliver engaging campaigns, and expand platforms that amplify the stories and health needs of women and adolescent girls. Together, we will continue to drive awareness campaigns, promote grassroots engagement, and advocate for improved access to healthcare for adolescent  girls while building on the foundation for a healthier, more equitable future.

About eHealth Africa
eHealth Africa (eHA) is a non-profit organization committed to strengthening health systems across Africa through the design and implementation of data-driven solutions. Over the past 15 years, eHA has built a robust technological and operational platform tailored to address complex health delivery challenges. By opening its operational, management, partnership, and technology platforms to others, eHA accelerates the adoption of impactful innovations.

Leveraging global insights and local expertise, the organization develops sustainable public health solutions that are adaptable to diverse African contexts. We have country offices and local government coordinators stationed in Nigeria, additional resource capacity, and strategic partnerships in Nigeria and 27 other African countries, across West, Central, East, and Southern Africa. 

For more information, visit: www.ehealthafrica.org   

Media Contact:

 Favour Oriaku
Knowledge Management and Communications Lead,  eHealth Africa
favour.oriaku@ehealthnigeria.org 

eHealth Africa marks 15 years of data-driven impact and renews its commitment to adolescent health and African women and girls

Lagos, Nigeria, 20th March 2025 – eHealth Africa (eHA) reaffirmed its commitment to adolescent health and gender equity at the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. Representing eHA at the event were Dr. Andrew Karlyn, Board Member, and Ms. Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programs.

As the Commission on the Status of Women marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action – a landmark agreement on global gender equality standards – eHA participated in key discussions with global partners and stakeholders focused on advancing adolescent health and gender equity. After 15 years of successful implementation in 27 African countries including Nigeria, eHA’s goal is to expand and strengthen its impact and partnerships with like-minded global players helping to achieve prosperity and well-being for all.

Investing in the second decade of life is a cornerstone of sustainable development for our continent, and programs that center the unique experiences of adolescents will help us to achieve gender equity and improved health outcomes,” said Ms. Ota Akhigbe. “eHealth Africa is committed to leveraging our expertise in data-driven solutions to support governments and build strategic partnerships that will empower communities and enhance the well-being of adolescent girls and boys.”

One key area requiring urgent collaboration is child marriage. Despite progress, 12 million girls are married every year, approximately 33,000 girls daily, or 23 girls per minute worldwide. eHA joined the high-level event Bridging the Gap: From Beijing to 2030 – Ending Child Marriage in All Forms, convened by the Governments of Canada, the UK, Zambia, the Dominican Republic, and the Netherlands, alongside the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Girls Not Brides, Girls First Fund, and Zonta International. eHA applauds CIFF and the Nigerian government’s commitment to ending child marriage.

R-L – Judith Bruce, Senior Advisor at Pop council_ Dr. Vladimra Kantorova, Section Chief of the Fertility & population ageing of the population division, UN_ Dr. Kelly Hallman, Founder_ED, Indigenous Justice Circle_ Dr. Rana Hajjeh, Preside

Furthermore, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – specifically technology-facilitated GBV – is an emerging area requiring urgent action, advocacy, policy, and regulation. This need is underscored by the exponential growth of digital penetration on the continent and inequitable access to digital tools for adolescent girls and women. 

eHA’s platforms and reach include 42 Emergency Operations Centers built and handed over to governments across Africa, 11 currently being managed in Nigeria, and Vaccine Direct Delivery services. Other key interventions include Clinical Services, Healthcare Facility Mapping, Neonatal Genotype Screening, Nutrition & Adolescent Health Services, and Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring in Nigeria.

Some of the key ways in which eHA has impacted women and girls include –

  • Through the mapping of 45,000 healthcare facilities across Africa, eHA reduced rural women and girls travel to health clinics time thus enabling them to access pre/postnatal care & childbirth services.
  • Through eHA’s expanded GBV call center in Borno State, they received and responded to 5,000+ calls from GBV survivors, providing critical support, counseling, and referral services. 
  • Through the eHA Academy, they trained 47+ women in web and software development/data analytics. Within 3-6 months of program completion, participants secured internship and full-time employment in the tech industry, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in bridging the gender gap and fostering female leadership in technology.

eHA remains steadfast in its mission to improve health through innovation, data-driven solutions, and collaboration. By working alongside governments, civil society, and the private sector, eHA strives to create sustainable solutions that build healthier communities for Africa’s youth today and in the future.

Digitising  Healthcare With Local Realities in Mind: Shaping The Future of African Healthcare

For Immediate Release                                                                                           

Highlights

  • Highlighting the importance of cultural context and local leadership in the success of digital health solutions.
  • eHealth Africa’s innovative solutions have vaccinated over 5.8 million people, revolutionising immunisation programs in Nigeria.
Participants follow proceedings keenly during a panel discussion at the Global Health Forum in Nairobi.

[NAIROBI, Kenya] December 8, 2024 – eHealth Africa (eHA) has today urged governments and stakeholders to explore the critical factors beyond technology that are essential for deployment of digital health solutions for long-term success of public health systems across Africa. Data-backed interventions will help streamline operations and enable formulation of interventions that appreciate the cultural norms when addressing the immediate needs of different communities within the region.

Speaking during a panel session at the Global Digital Health Forum 2024 in Nairobi, eHealth Africa’s Executive Director Atef Fawaz emphasised the importance of integrating technology with local cultures and addressing community-specific needs. “Understanding the unique healthcare challenges in each individual country allows us to deploy tech solutions that truly make an impact. ”For instance, eHealth Africa successfully delivered over 5.8 million vaccines (5,801,209) to 351 primary healthcare facilities across states in Nigeria that  was made possible through the deployment of the innovative Logistics Management Information System (LoMIS) application. 

Digitizing Healthcare With Local Realities in Mind: Shaping The Future of Healthcare in Africa

“The system significantly improved the availability of vaccines for Routine Immunisation (RI), ensuring timely and efficient distribution while eliminating stockouts at primary healthcare facilities. This intervention highlights our commitment to strengthening immunisation programs and enhancing healthcare delivery at the grassroots level,” he said. 

In his contribution, Abdulhamid Yahaya, Deputy Director, Global Health Informatics highlighted the need to understand the local cultural, social, and regulatory landscape so as to build solutions that are designed with local realities in mind.

eHealth Africa Board Member Micheline Ntiru said using technology provided stakeholders among them  global health leaders, tech innovators, and development experts as well as local communities a platform to create the right solutions that work within the constraints of each community, and with the support of local leadership.

For instance, local health workers have been using mobile-based reminder systems to improve compliance and overall health outcomes while some local immunisation centres have been  sending SMS reminders to parents as well as to provide educational messages about the diseases they protect against. Mobile phones, now available in nearly 80 percent of African homes, can also be used during emergencies to dispatch mass announcements about satellite clinic locations and schedules.

According to the World Health Organisation, increased use of the Internet, email, social networking sites and availability of mobile phones facilitates deployment of eHealth solutions, applications and services towards  improvement of national health systems.  Use of technological eHealth solutions could also be used to encourage positive lifestyle changes to prevent and control common diseases.

The panel moderated by Ota Akhigbe, Director of Partnerships and Programs comprised of  Ms Ntiru (Delta40 ventures), Mr Yahaya (eHealth Africa), Chief Impact Officer at Tiko – Serah Malaba, Dr Olamide Okulaja (Maisha Meds), Audere Chief Executive Officer Dr Dino Rech, and  Rachel Alladian from Jacaranda. They discussed how strategic partnerships, regulatory compliance, and a deep understanding of local contexts are crucial for driving digital health innovations that can succeed in diverse regions.

The GDHF forum was attended by health scholars, researchers, representatives from the Ministry of Health in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia, Somalia and Sri Lanka as well as representatives from the World Bank, medicine manufacturers, technology vendors, UN agencies among others.

eHealth Africa’s Executive Director Atef Fawaz emphasises the importance of integrating technology with local cultures and addressing community-specific needs during a panel discussion at the Global Health Forum in Nairobi.

About eHealth Africa
eHealth Africa (eHA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening health systems across Africa through the design and implementation of data-driven solutions. Responding to local health needs, over the past 15 years, eHealth Africa has built a robust tech and operational platform specifically designed to address health delivery challenges. Recognizing the need for collaboration, we have opened up our operational, management, partnership, and technology platforms to others, accelerating the entry and adoption of innovations. By leveraging lessons learned from global successes, we aim to maximize impact and ensure that solutions are well-tailored to every market’s unique market dynamics, making it an ideal entry point for social and economic development initiatives that rely on public health innovations.

eHealth Africa’s work spans across 24 African Countries including, Chad, Liberia, Cameroon, Tanzania, Madagascar, Zimbabwe amongst others. For more information, visit www.ehealthafrica.org.

Contact:
Judith Owoicho
Communications Manager, eHealth Africa

Breaking Barriers in Tech: A Conversation with Ms. Diligence Saviour

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, women are making significant strides, overcoming barriers, and reshaping industries that have traditionally been male-dominated. One such trailblazer is Ms. Diligence Saviour, Business Application Senior Coordinator at eHealth Africa, who has recently been recognized as one of the 2024 Women in Technology and Engineering Award recipients. Presented by Womenovate, this prestigious award highlights her invaluable contributions to public health initiatives through her expertise in technology.

We had the privilege to sit down with Ms. Saviour and delve into her inspiring journey, one that highlights not only her passion for technology but also her determination to succeed in an environment often filled with challenges. In this candid interview, she shares her background, early influences, and the profound lessons learned throughout her career. Ms. Saviour’s story is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and the belief that gender should never be a barrier to achieving one’s dreams.

Ms. Diligence Saviour working on the motherboard of a spoilt computer system.

QUESTION 1: Tell us something about yourself and your background.

ANSWER:
My name is Diligence Saviour. I am from Bayelsa state. I have four siblings – two girls and three boys. My mom passed away some time ago, and my father works as a registrar at a university. I obtained my first degree in computer science from Niger Delta University in 2014. In 2021, I enrolled in a master’s degree program in computer applications at Bayero University Kano. Along the way, I also earned several certifications, including project management, Scrum Master, and IT.

QUESTION 2: What was your dream job as a child?

ANSWER:
As a child, I loved art, but my father wanted me to become a medical doctor. Following his wishes, I pursued the sciences. During my JAMB exams, I chose Medicine and Pharmacy as my study options. I was admitted to study pharmacy even before my WAEC results were out. However, when the results were finally released, I couldn’t continue with pharmacy due to incomplete results. Left with limited choices, I had to pick between Mathematics and Computer Science. I chose computer science with the idea of retaking JAMB to study Medicine and Surgery. But during my first year in computer science, I developed a deep passion for the field, and I decided to continue with it. And as they say, the rest is history.

QUESTION 3: What attracted you to your current role?

ANSWER:
I’ve always had a knack for getting things done. As an undergraduate, I noticed that my classmates often struggled with software applications on their phones, and I would eagerly troubleshoot and fix their issues. The satisfaction of solving problems for others gave me so much joy. That same drive led me to a career in IT support, where I learned to troubleshoot networks and various system issues, and that’s how I found my path in this field.

QUESTION 4: How were your first days in this career?

ANSWER:
They were tough. Each day presented new challenges, new issues to resolve, and new things to learn. I began as an IT support personnel, which involved a lot of physical work, like rolling cables, clipping cables, and even climbing ladders. Back then, it wasn’t considered the “coolest” job for a lady due to the stereotypes associated with women in such roles, but I pushed through and grew in the profession.

Ms. Diligence during the early stages of her career understudying senior colleagues at work.

QUESTION 5: How does it feel to be recognized with this award for your contributions to global health initiatives?

ANSWER:
It’s an amazing feeling! Just being nominated was a great source of motivation, but actually winning the award pushes me to strive for even greater excellence. It’s a reminder that my contributions are making a difference and inspires me to continue pushing for change in my space.

QUESTION 6: What are some of your proudest accomplishments while working on global health initiatives at eHealth Africa?

ANSWER:
I started as IT support and have since grown into the role of Business Application Senior Coordinator. I manage critical software applications for eHealth Africa, like INFOSEC and Sage X3, which are used across all our offices globally, including in the USA, Germany, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. I’m proud to say that I’ve trained over 300 staff members, covering everything from procurement to project management processes. Providing technical support to our teams and ensuring they can effectively use these applications has been a huge part of my journey, and it’s incredibly rewarding.

QUESTION 7: Who has been your biggest mentor or influence in your career?

ANSWER:
One of my most significant influences was Esosa Olia. When I first started my career in IT support, I worked closely with her. She was responsible for managing our enterprise resource application, and I admired how she seamlessly handled tasks and solved problems. Her work ethic and dedication taught me that with enough determination and hard work, I could achieve anything. Esosa has had a lasting impact on my career.

QUESTION 8: You work in a male-dominated discipline. What challenges have you faced as a woman in that environment, and how did you deal with them?

ANSWER:
I’ve had many challenging experiences. For example, I once had to fix a surveillance camera in Nigeria, and while I was on a ladder, a man started shouting at me in Hausa, angry that a woman was on a ladder doing such work. That experience unsettled me, but it was a reminder of the stereotypes women face in this field. Despite such situations, I remained focused and determined to prove myself in the industry.

QUESTION 9: What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received?

ANSWER:
The best advice I’ve received is related to procrastination. I once heard someone say, “For everything that you start, you can only finish if you don’t procrastinate.” The more you procrastinate, the more your workload grows. That advice stuck with me, and I try my best to avoid procrastination whenever possible.

QUESTION 10: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the field of global health?

ANSWER:
The tech field is constantly evolving, so you need to continuously learn and upgrade your skills to grow. Many women may choose easier career paths, but for those aspiring to enter tech, it’s essential to know what you want and pursue that knowledge with passion. You can achieve anything you set your mind to!

As we conclude this insightful conversation with Ms. Diligence Saviour, we celebrate not just her achievements but also the role that  eHealth Africa plays in supporting women in tech. Through our dedication to fostering inclusive work environments, eHealth Africa ensures that talented professionals like Ms. Saviour have the opportunity to excel and make lasting contributions to global health initiatives. Ms. Saviour’s story is a powerful reminder that gender should never be a barrier to success in any industry, especially one as impactful as technology in global health.

Contact:
Tijesu Ojumu
Communications Coordinator eHealth Africa

Jacaranda partners with eHealth Africa to expand lifesaving PROMPTS support for Nigerian mothers

Nigeria has Africa’s largest and fastest-growing population, and contributes 20% of the world’s maternal deaths annually (1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births). In June this year, we secured a partnership with African nonprofit eHealth Africa (eHA) to test our SMS-based digital health tool PROMPTS as a cost-effective and quickly scalable tool to support Nigerian mothers through their pregnancy journey. 

The aim of the pilot is to adapt the platform for the Nigerian context and assess its uptake and engagement with 25,000 mothers in Kano State, located in the country’s northern region. Similar to our approach in Kenya, mothers will be consensually enrolled to PROMPTS at health facilities – specifically within the network of public hospitals, health centers, and outreach clinics under EHA Clinics, eHA’s sister organization.  

Over the last few months, Jacaranda has been working to prime PROMPTS for the expansion. We have recently extended our customized Large Language Model (the technology that underpins the PROMPTS helpdesk) to converse in Hausa and Yoruba, ensuring that Nigerian mothers are supported in a language they can understand and act on. We are working to customize the PROMPTS helpdesk to better classify language and context-specific questions from mothers, as well as collect specific data (via SMS surveys) on their experience of care in the facilities they visit.

Meanwhile, we have been adding and adapting messaging content within the platform to align with the local context and increase relevance for mothers in Kano State. Alongside the standard suite gestation stage-specific messaging and appointment reminders, we are introducing content to address specific, yet widespread pregnancy-related myths and misconceptions, alongside malaria-focused content, given the disease’s high prevalence (32.4%) in Kano State. eHA will be gathering further information from Community Health Extension Workers on the needs and experiences of mothers in this setting to inform further messaging adaptations over the coming weeks. 

With a successful pilot, our goal is to expand PROMPTS to reach an additional 100,000 Nigerian mothers in the following year and over 1.5 million mothers in the next three years, leveraging eHA’s extensive connections within the Nigerian public health sector to drive sustainable growth for the platform. 

“The collaboration between eHealth Africa and Jacaranda in Nigeria has immense potential to further the work already being done to improve maternal and child healthcare in Kano State. By combining Jacaranda’s expertise in digital engagement of moms with EHA’s robust infrastructure and deep understanding of the local landscape, we can create and scale solutions to improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and babies, as well as amplifying women’s voices. This partnership is not just about expanding reach but also about sharing knowledge, fostering innovation, and ultimately, improving health outcomes for moms and babies across Nigeria.” – Rachael Alldian, Director of Global Programs & Product, Jacaranda Health 

“At eHealth Africa, we are committed to leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved communities. Our partnership with Jacaranda to implement the PROMPTS platform in Nigeria is a significant step towards achieving this goal. Leveraging our indigenous knowledge and Jacaranda’s digital expertise, we are well-positioned to significantly improve maternal and child health outcomes in Kano State and beyond. We are excited to see how this initiative will improve the lives of countless mothers and their families.” — Atef Fawaz, Executive Director, eHealth Africa