Data 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.

Data Accountability – a road map to building Connected Communities

Posted on July 24, 2025July 24, 2025 by Moshood Isah

By Dr. David Akpan

It may interest you to know that the community leaders in our village, the caregiver in a remote hamlet, and the primary healthcare providers serving in our primary healthcare facility are all essential to the success of achieving universal health coverage with digital health at the central connecting point. The same goes for government actors and stakeholders across every level of the public health system making valuable inputs in creating the enabling environment to improve local coordinated efforts to deliver ease to access integrated health care. The possibility lies with building a connected community where everyone is not left behind. This confirms the power of the digital data system.

Remember the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when healthcare systems across the globe were stretched to their limits? During that period, there was an urgent and coordinated effort to test individuals exposed to the virus, contain its spread, and provide timely care. In Nigeria, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health played pivotal roles, delivering daily updates on the prevalence of the virus across various states. At this moment, communities were connected, enforced and energised to respond to one health need. This confirms that a connected community is possible and the target to achieve UHC relies squarely on this.

We have seen where pilot data-driven innovations significantly informed by the deployment of digital solutions for contact tracing, testing coordination, and public awareness campaigns has significantly connected communities to demanding for health services Critically, the success of these efforts hinged on the mutual cooperation of communities, individuals, patients, and development partners, demonstrating the power of collective action enabled by transparent and accessible data.

We are moving from the days when innovators relied on general assumptions about community needs and expectations based on mere observations of behavior. Today, successful innovation requires in-depth engagement with key stakeholders to gather accurate and timely information. Interestingly, data sharing swings both ways between the underserved communities and development partners.

Before diving into the development of digital health solutions, data provides important insights into trends, patterns, and critical concerns that need to be addressed. Therefore, local investment both in terms of time, financing, and data accountability remains crucial to ensuring that development partners and governments at various levels prioritize meaningful resource allocation. Thus, investing time and resources in gathering meaningful local data lays the foundation for more effective, inclusive, and sustainable digital health solutions.

Beyond the numbers, connecting communities through accurate and timely data stems largely from creating mutual relationships between the communities, its people and information they can make meaning from.

It is however important to mention that while data offer tremendous potential to create value by improving programs and policies, the misuse of it can lead to abuse which can harm citizens. Data is a resource that can be used and reused repeatedly to create more and more value, but the more data is misused, the higher is the risk of misinterpretation.

As mentioned in a 2021 World Bank report, the deployment of data system is growing at an unprecedented rate and is becoming an integral part of daily life for people around the world. However, there are critical questions we must ask: how can millions of people living in extreme poverty and poor health conditions make sense of and connect to this ubiquitous data? More importantly, how can communities understand and harness the use of data to improve their lives? As we pursue these goals, we must also ensure that low- and middle-income countries are not left behind, which would only widen the gap between those who benefit from this new data-driven world and those who do not.

In this vein, the localization and visibility of data increases the likelihood of communities to connect and relate with each other while understanding what binds them together. In order to achieve this, digital literacy gaps must be bridged via direct engagement of community gatekeepers, Community Based Organisations and other stakeholders within the community.

That’s why the 2025 Insights Learning Forum comes at such a critical and opportune moment. With the theme “Local Investment for Connected Communities: The Power of Digital Health Networks in Public Health Transformation,” this year’s Forum will serve as a vibrant platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic action. Taking place on July 30, 2025, it will convene policymakers, innovators, development partners, and investors around a shared conviction: Africa’s digital health transformation must be driven by local leadership.

During the forum, which will convene policymakers, innovators, development partners, and investors, I will be moderating a session on investing in health and underserved communities. This powerful panel discussion will provide a platform for multi-sector dialogue on building a thriving, locally driven digital health ecosystem through investment and partnerships.

Building a connected community using accurate and timely data isn’t just about making data-driven decisions but also about fostering engagement and building a digital equitable community. It also goes a long way in enhancing collaborations across various sectors, communities and development partners thereby ensuring faster response to public health emergencies as a result of transparency and trust.

Dr. David Akpan, Deputy Director Programs and Partnership (DDPP) eHealth Africa. Dr. David Akpan is an experienced social epidemiologist and development expert with 18 years of experience in public health programs and development assistance.

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

Posted on December 16, 2024December 16, 2024 by Moshood Isah

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

Posted on November 1, 2024December 21, 2024 by Tijesu Ojumu

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

In Nigeria, eHealth Africa Optimizes Systems for Seamless Vaccination Data Collection and Retrieval

Posted on January 5, 2023August 25, 2024 by Moshood Isah

By Emmanuel Uko

Building and optimizing software applications to improve public health outcomes is at the core of eHealth Africa’s work. With the Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) application, the organization went beyond optimizing the app to redesigning a new process flow for vaccination data capture. The redesign of an optimized process flow was necessary as research shows that inadequate health data is a challenge in Nigeria due to unintentional duplication, lack of synchronization and dearth of data storage systems.

The quality of data collection tools and the uncoordinated nature of the collection process compounded the data challenges, thus the need for a redesigned data collection process flow. eHA’s Technical Project Manager, Software Engineering, Dayo Akinleye said, “The redesigned process flow was necessary because the new process eliminates the possibility of duplicate records for offline users; utilizes the current quick response (QR) code for easy identification and seamless operation; and eliminates redundant information generated on the Public Registration portal (PubReg). The old process flow used the KoboCollect platform, so it did not have these capabilities. It was also unable to synchronize with the District Health Information Software (DHIS2).”

*Former process flow with the old EMID application*
Image: eHA

*New process flow with the native (optimized) EMID application*
Image: eHA

Both process flows allow users to register via the PubReg portal and receive registration ID before visiting the vaccination center to receive the vaccine. At the vaccination site, both processes allow for manual registration of clients into the EMID physical register, and receive a vaccination card with QR code.

*eHA’s EMID Project Manager, Stephanie Okpere (right), during a Strategy Group meeting at NPHCDA Headquarters, Abuja.*
Photo Credit: eHA

Tope Falodun, eHA’s Associate Project Manager on the EMID project, affirmed that “the new process departs from the old as it allows for instant validation of clients once registered. Upon successful validation, the optimized EMID system generates a vaccination ID for clients that register at the physical site. For those who register via PubReg, their registration ID is replaced with the vaccination ID, eliminating duplicates, unlike the old system. The new vaccination ID is generated from the QR code for both online and offline clients to avoid duplicate registration. If the registration on the optimized (native) app is unsuccessful, the error message redirects the user to the specific item that needs to be updated or corrected. After correcting the error message the recorder saves the information to complete the registration and validation process.”

*EMID Recorder for Isale-Agbara PHC, Egunsola Ayobami (middle), at the pre-deployment training of the native (optimized) EMID application in Osogbo, Osun State*
Photo Credit: eHA

End users have found the new process flow more responsive than the old one, and better fit for purpose. As the EMID Recorder at Isale-Agbara Primary Healthcare Centre in Osogbo, Osun State, Egunsola Ayobami, confirmed, “one of the important variations from the old system is the ability to validate a client instantly, making the work easier and faster. It is also easier to use. When in doubt, I now know how to contact helpdesk, and their responses are instant,” he concluded.

Deployment of the native EMID application across Nigeria, with its optimized process flow, guarantees seamless data capture, storage and real-time retrieval.

eHA’s areas of expertise are data management, project logistics, infrastructure and ICT services, working in the following focus areas: health delivery, public health emergency management, disease surveillance, laboratory and diagnostics, and nutrition and food security.

Optimizing the National Electronic Management of Immunization (EMID) Data Tool for Improved Efficiency

Posted on January 5, 2023August 25, 2024 by Moshood Isah

By Emmanuel Uko

The Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) system was designed to facilitate the overall management of immunization data and other programs at Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) including vaccination scheduling, real-time entry of clients’ data, and collation, analysis, and validation of such data.

The health sector depends heavily on data for planning. To ascertain how well a country’s immunization plans and implementation are going, adequate information is necessary. The World Health Organization states that immunization data helps to monitor improvements in vaccination trends and identify gaps for its surveillance processes. More so, there is a consensus among vaccination stakeholders that real-time data reporting has allowed decision-makers to follow-up on the unvaccinated and forecast needs for supplies.

Since March 2022, eHealth Africa (eHA), has supported the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) in Nigeria to optimize the functionality of the Electronic Management of Immunization Data (EMID) System. This optimization is funded by Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI). They identified the need to fill up the vaccination data gap, after seeing lapses in the primary data capture tool – the EMID application. Users of the unoptimized app expected more than it was offering. Dr Oyetunde Olasunboye, the Osun State EMID Focal Person said, “the functionality of the system declined noticeably and would sometimes become difficult to input client’s information, search for, or confirm clients’ details. More so, it became increasingly difficult to scan a client’s quick response (QR) code, although this was mostly dependent on the device at the user’s disposal.” These errors adversely affected the application’s functionality.

These inadequacies gave rise to the need for optimization of the EMID application to enable it function at its best for end users at health facilities. “We developed a roadmap for an optimized application that would be scalable country-wide. We built and deployed the optimized application, we conducted training and capacity-building activities for NPHCDA EMID team at national and state levels, and recorders at the PHCs, in preparation to hand over the optimized system to the agency”. Said Stephanie Okpere, eHA’s EMID Project Manager.

Similarly, Kasim Sani, a Network support staff at NPHCDA ICT Unit, said this about the optimized helpdesk: “The new setup has made our work more responsive to clients’ needs. We are able to detect and resolve issues more promptly and applications can now be deployed on the server seamlessly.”

In preparation for the deployment of the optimized app, eHA trained 351 users including recorders, EMID focal persons at State and Local Government levels, and piloted its use across selected states within the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. From each of the states, eHA selected one rural Local Govermment Area (LGA), one urban LGA and one LGA with poor internet connectivity.

In collaboration with the ICT Unit at NPHCDA, eHA also trained users on help desk use and structure for issue resolution, support process flow, roles and responsibilities of the support tiers, and the use of support channels like email, Whatsapp and phone lines. Specifically, the training focused on how to download and log into the application, how to conduct online and offline mode check, searching, filtering and updating of records, manual syncing, import and export of records. Participants were also shown how to navigate to the help section and the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the native application. The optimized application ensures seamless management of vaccination data at national and subnational levels.

Online Donation