… Says Reliable Data Key to Better Healthcare

By Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU — The House of Representatives candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Dr. Stephen Ugwoke, has identified the lack of reliable healthcare data as one of the biggest obstacles to improving Nigeria’s health sector.

Ugwoke, a healthcare professional and data analyst, made the assertion while commending the Federal Government for establishing the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office (NHTDAO), describing the initiative as a landmark reform that could transform healthcare delivery through evidence-based decision-making.

In a statement made available to journalists, he said Nigeria’s persistent healthcare challenges cannot be effectively addressed without a robust, integrated national health data system capable of supporting disease surveillance, patient record management and informed policy formulation.

According to him, countries with efficient healthcare systems, including the United States, have significantly improved health outcomes by leveraging digital technologies, integrated health information systems and real-time data for planning and emergency response.

“Good healthcare does not begin in the operating theatre. It begins with data—clean, accessible, integrated and trustworthy data. You cannot fight what you cannot see. You cannot plan for diseases you are not tracking,” Ugwoke said.

He explained that the newly established NHTDAO is expected to harmonise Nigeria’s fragmented health information systems and coordinate the implementation of the country’s National Digital Health Architecture, laying the foundation for a unified digital healthcare ecosystem.

Ugwoke also commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of the office, saying the decision reflects a growing commitment to technology-driven and evidence-based healthcare reforms.

He further praised the appointment of Dr. Obi Adigwe as the pioneer National Coordinator of the agency, describing it as a merit-based decision that prioritises competence and expertise.

According to him, Adigwe’s background as a pharmaceutical researcher and scientist positions him to effectively drive the agency’s mandate of developing a modern national healthcare data infrastructure.

“I have watched as Nigerian health institutions were led almost exclusively by medical doctors, regardless of whether a medical degree was the most relevant qualification. Seeing a pharmacist and pharmaceutical researcher appointed to lead this initiative gives hope that competence and expertise are beginning to take priority,” he stated.

Ugwoke noted that achieving interoperability across Nigeria’s healthcare system would enable patients’ medical records to be securely accessed across health facilities nationwide, improving continuity of care, emergency response, disease surveillance and national health planning.

He, however, cautioned that the success of the initiative would depend on sustained political commitment, adequate funding, improved data collection standards, investment in digital infrastructure and continuous capacity building for healthcare workers.

He called on governments, healthcare institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the reform, insisting that Nigeria must embrace digital transformation to build a resilient healthcare system capable of meeting the needs of its growing population.

Expressing optimism about the future of the sector, Ugwoke described the establishment of the NHTDAO as the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s healthcare development.

“Change is happening, and for the first time in a long while, I look at a Nigerian health sector announcement and feel genuine, cautious, fact-based hope. Let us build something that lasts,” he said.