Anambra Moves to Digitalise Health System Amid Corruption Concerns

The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed plans to fully digitalise its health system as part of efforts to improve transparency, strengthen service delivery, and curb corruption within the sector.

The move comes amid ongoing concerns over inefficiencies, weak data management, and accountability gaps in parts of the health system, which officials say have affected service delivery and monitoring of healthcare outcomes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, made this known during a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on the Health System Exemplar Analysis Project held at Chiben Leisure Resort and Hotel, Awka.

The workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Health, the Gates Foundation, and Development Governance International Consult.

Dr Obidike said the state government remained committed to deploying digital tools across all levels of healthcare delivery to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

According to him, the initiative would help reduce corruption in the sector while improving data management, patient care, and monitoring of health services across the state.

“The state government is determined to digitalise every aspect of the health system in order to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in healthcare delivery,” he said.

He added that the reforms would also strengthen interventions in nutrition and other key public health programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of residents.

The commissioner said the workshop would help identify existing gaps in the health system and support evidence-based reforms to address them.

The engagement brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the health system and documenting reforms and interventions implemented in the state between 2013 and 2023.

It also focused on introducing the Nigeria Health System Exemplar Analysis for Action Project to stakeholders, including its objectives, methodology, and planned activities.

Speaking earlier, the State Lead of Development Governance International Consult, Uchenna Ezenwaka, said the project was designed to assess and document factors driving improvements in Nigeria’s health system performance.

He said it would also examine reforms, policies, and interventions that contributed to measurable progress in the sector.

Participants discussed data requirements for the study and the roles of stakeholders in providing access to relevant records and institutional information.

They also considered modalities for efficient data collection and coordination to ensure smooth implementation of the project.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health expressed satisfaction that Anambra State was selected as one of 12 exemplar states, describing it as recognition of improved performance in the health sector.

She attributed the achievement to strong political will, governance reforms, a skilled workforce, and sustained policy implementation in the state.