A former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau has urged the Federal Government to adopt digital health technology and integrate it into its healthcare system.

Shekarau made the appeal at the international summit on financing primary healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria, which was held in Abuja on Thursday. The summit was organised by the Islamic Economic Foundation and sponsored by the Development Research and Project Centre.

The former governor said that the government can use technology to address the healthcare system’s challenges and deliver essential healthcare services to Nigerians.

He said, “We are here today to shape the future of healthcare in our country by using the power of Islamic finance and the role of digital health technology.

“Let us use the Islamic finance principles to create financing models that support the adoption, implementation, and scaling up of digital health solutions in Nigeria.”

The Africa Islamic Economic Foundation’s President, Baba Muhammad, advised Nigeria to access finances that aim to improve healthcare accessibility and sustainability in Africa.

Muhammad said that Africa has unique challenges and opportunities in healthcare due to its diverse cultures and geographical differences.

He said that access to quality primary healthcare is a major challenge, especially in remote areas, and that digital technology and Islamic finance can help to improve healthcare infrastructure development.

“Digital technology can bring healthcare services to the people who need them the most. Through telemedicine and mobile health applications, people in remote locations can have access to medical consultations, diagnosis, and even treatment options.

“Islamic finance principles focus on ethical and socially responsible investment. It promotes fairness, inclusivity, and the well-being of individuals and communities.

“By using these principles, we can invest in sustainable primary healthcare infrastructure projects in Africa, ensuring that the benefits reach every part of the continent,” he explained.

The Project Director of DRPC, Stanley Ukpai, supported the need for Nigeria to reduce its reliance on budget as the only source of healthcare financing. He called on the stakeholders at the summit to find alternative funding sources to diversify its domestic funding sources for health.

“This summit is an innovative alternative to provide Nigeria with the link between new sources of funds and digital healthcare opportunities that can transform Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, especially as Nigeria will have the highest budgetary allocation to health of 8 per cent in 2024.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone to work together to ensure adequate funding for the sector,” he added.