Africa Archives - eHealth Africa

How Digital Networks Are Reshaping Healthcare in Africa

Posted on July 28, 2025July 29, 2025 by Moshood Isah

The recent and recurring outbreaks of diseases and other public health emergencies have undeniably strained healthcare systems, particularly across Africa. These challenges have not only necessitated thinking beyond traditional approaches but have also prompted the development of innovative pathways to ensure communities are better prepared and less vulnerable to such emergencies.

It is essential to note that digital networks are not only supporting healthcare delivery in Africa, but they are also fundamentally reshaping how public health interventions are conceived, designed, and implemented. It is no surprise that the African digital health market was valued at approximately US$3.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$16.6 billion by 2030. Indeed, these are not just figures; they represent real lives and communities being impacted and transformed by digital networks.

Increasing the adoption of digital health tools could lead to at least a 15% improvement in efficiency by 2030. This marks significant progress, even amid ongoing challenges such as digital inequity, limited local investments, and infrastructure gaps. Nevertheless, public health stakeholders continue to play their roles to ensure that even primary healthcare facilities in the remotest locations are being reached by the digital revolution currently reshaping the health sector.

This digital transformation has significantly improved access to healthcare through telemedicine and virtual consultations, reducing the risks associated with long travel distances and delays in reaching healthcare facilities. Beyond improving access, healthcare facilities themselves are receiving substantial boosts, especially in the areas of drug supply, vaccines, and essential goods. For instance, digital solutions like the Logistics Management Information System (LoMIS), deployed by eHealth Africa, have ensured the timely delivery of essential medicines and reduced stockouts. The deployment of this solution for vaccine distribution across over 300 Primary Healthcare facilities in Sokoto State has proven to be a game-changer.

In addition, digital medical records and health dashboards have significantly streamlined data management, enabling more efficient handling of patient information. This allows healthcare professionals to focus more on delivering quality care rather than being burdened by administrative tasks, while also enhancing clinical decision-making through real-time access to accurate data.

The digital health landscape has undeniably evolved into an interconnected web of systems that overcome geographical and socioeconomic barriers. By bringing care closer to underserved populations, it is transforming healthcare access for marginalized communities. A prime example is the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which have been instrumental in mapping and identifying missed or hard-to-reach settlements. Over the years, this technology has played a crucial role in ensuring that children, regardless of location, receive life-saving vaccines, significantly improving immunization coverage in remote areas.

While technology and innovation are well recognized as enablers and indeed, key drivers of growth across sectors, their impact in health can only be sustained if solution developers, partners, and implementers fully understand and engage with local cultural, social, and regulatory contexts. Only then can digital health solutions be tailored to meet ground realities and deliver meaningful, lasting impact.

Over the last three years, eHealth Africa has consistently convened industry experts to drive discussions and chart pathways for digital health, data-driven solutions, and innovations in public health practice. The event, tagged Insights Learning Forum (ILF), has served as a platform for professionals in both the digital and public health sectors to share their experiences, insights, and innovative solutions.

A key takeaway from digital health discussions has been the need to ensure that solutions are community-driven and developed with local realities in mind. This insight informs the theme of the 2025 Insights Learning Forum:
“Local Investments for Connected Communities: The Power of Digital Health Networks in Public Health Transformation.” The third edition of ILF, scheduled for 30th July 2025, will go beyond rhetoric, focusing on implementing strategies to ensure that communities remain at the heart of digital health interventions.

Abdulhamid Yahaya is the Deputy Director, Global Health Informatics at eHealth Africa. He has over 20 years of extensive expertise and experience in Information Technology (IT) operations, IT management, corporate policy and governance, information/cybersecurity, IT project deployment, health informatics, digital health solutions, corporate strategy, and strategic leadership.

eHealth Africa’s Digital Innovation Takes Center Stage at the Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS)

Posted on July 8, 2024August 22, 2024 by Moshood Isah

by Moshood Isah

Nigeria and indeed the African region have continued to endure a series of public health emergencies, with the most recent being the cholera outbreak affecting more than 21 states. These and other issues necessitate engagement that brings stakeholders together to improve disease surveillance and response. One such engagement held recently was the Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS). The summit is a platform for innovators, academics, entrepreneurs, researchers, regulators, policymakers, and development partners to share knowledge and experience in digital health across Africa.

The 2024 edition of the summit, with the theme “Digital Transformation of Health Systems: What, Why, and How?”, featured industry experts from around the world. In the presence of the Honorable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Commissioner of Health in Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, eHealth Africa, and other organizations displayed crucial digital health solutions currently being used to address public health emergencies.

During the summit, eHealth Africa hosted a panel session where it discussed a series of digital innovations and how instrumental these solutions have been in public health and disease surveillance. The session, moderated by David Akpan, Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships, featured Andrew Karlyn, a board member at eHealth Africa; Dr. Emmanuel Agogo, Director of Pandemic Threats at the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND); Dr. Monique Aaron Foster, Deputy Director of Programs at the Sierra Leone Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Ubong Okon, Deputy Director of Programs and Impact at eHealth Africa; and Motunrayo Bello, Chief Executive Officer of Womenovate.

In the words of Atef Fawaz, the Executive Director of eHealth Africa, after the session, “Digital innovation is the future of health and the world in general. If we want to avoid the next pandemic, we must build on existing digital solutions. Technology has helped in responding to health emergencies in the past, and it will help in the future.”

Another key highlight of the event was the technical session moderated by Kazeem Balogun, Program Manager at eHealth Africa, which featured the demonstration of Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR). As revealed by Deputy Director of Global Health Informatics and ICT Operations, Abdulhamid Yahaya, the eIDSR is an optimized system created to improve the flow of information within health systems. This allows accurate and early detection of disease outbreaks right from the communities to the highest level of intervention. According to Abdulhamid, “This is an opportunity to reignite and energize stakeholders to drive the utilization of the eIDSR solution to improve early detection of disease outbreaks in our communities.”

The demo session was preceded by a technical session on leveraging digital innovation to strengthen early warning systems for early detection of outbreaks using an ecosystem approach, led by Dr. Emmanuel Agogo. He explained the importance of effective data flow during disease surveillance and how it helps in developing early warning systems from the communities to health facilities, state, and national levels.

eHealth Africa team after a panel session at ADHS

While commending the insightful presentations, the Director of Programs and Partnerships at eHealth Africa, Ota Akhigbe, emphasized the need to consider all stakeholders playing an active role in promoting the early detection of disease outbreaks. She said the public sector is crucial in providing population data, while the private sector leverages its capabilities to develop innovative solutions and the academia contributes research to bring out learning points.

To reecho the words of Dr. Tunji Alausa, “Digital health innovation is no longer a luxury but a necessity.” Thus, conversations like this should remain at the forefront of national discourse. The conversation around digital health and the innovative use of digital technology in advancing public health cannot be overstated. In furtherance of this conversation, eHealth Africa is delighted to announce the second edition of the Insights Learning Forum, an annual event dedicated to advancing digital health in public health practice.

The 2024 edition of this high-level forum will be held on July 31st, 2024, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja with the theme “Digital Innovations in Public Health Practice: Innovations and Impact.”

Click here to learn more and register to attend.

Shaping the Future of Healthcare Access in Africa: Abigail Ayogu’s Story

Posted on April 27, 2023August 25, 2024 by Moshood Isah

By Favour Oriaku

Abigail Ayogu’s story is one of passion, dedication, and commitment to making a positive impact in Africa’s healthcare sector through technology. As a UI/UX designer at eHealth Africa, she plays a crucial role in building digital health solutions that improve healthcare access and outcomes for millions of people on the continent.

Abigail’s journey began when she discovered her passion for UI/UX design during her studies in Computer Science at Baze University, Abuja. She has since worked in various industries, honing her skills and experience in design and technology, including healthcare, where she found her true calling.

At eHealth Africa, Abigail’s focus is on designing user interfaces and user experiences that are intuitive, user-friendly, and accessible to diverse users across the continent. Her human-centered approach involves understanding the needs and constraints of users and developing solutions that solve their problems effectively.

One of Abigail’s notable achievements is her work on the Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) platform. She designed and prototyped a robust mobile application for managing COVID-19 vaccination records in Nigeria within a short timeline.

The platform’s publicly-accessible vaccination registration and verification system promotes transparency and timely vaccinations, making it a critical tool in the fight against the pandemic.

For Abigail, the most rewarding aspect of her work is seeing the solutions she designs in the hands of the people they were intended for, solving their problems, and making their lives better. “For me, it’s an indescribable feeling seeing my solution in the hands of the people it was designed for as they use it seamlessly, and seeing how it fits well into their workflow, solving the problems it was designed to solve. That feeling of making a positive impact is something I truly cherish,” says Abigail when asked what she finds most rewarding about her work at eHA.

She is committed to staying current with the latest trends and best practices in UI/UX design, taking online courses, reading design books, and keeping up with local and international design and product communities.

Abigail is also passionate about empowering young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM, specifically in UI/UX design. Abigail has this advice: “It is worth it, and it is fulfilling to pursue a career in design and tech. To be successful, you need to put in the work, stay curious and always be willing to learn. Make sure to network and build relationships within the industry, and find a mentor who can guide you.“

As we celebrate International Day of Girls in ICT, Abigail Ayogu’s story is a reminder of the critical role that women and girls play in shaping the future of healthcare access in Africa. Her dedication, passion, and commitment to making a positive impact in the world through technology serve as an inspiration to all.

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