Data-driven practices could enhance quality healthcare in Nigeria, says Dr. Ade-Conde
A Canada-based medical doctor, Dr. Ade-Conde Adetunji James, has opined that adopting and implementing data-driven practices could significantly enhance quality healthcare in Nigeria.
In a recent chat on the current state of the Nigerian healthcare system, Dr. Ade-Conde said unlike many international hospitals, most Nigerian health institutions lack data which in turn hampers the improvement.
He said, “A significant issue is data management. Unlike many international hospitals, most Nigerian institutions lack reliable data publication. This gap hampers the ability to monitor outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and set benchmarks aligned with global standards.”
Continuing, Ade-Conde said, “Improving transparency, adopting minimally invasive techniques, and implementing data-driven practices could significantly enhance healthcare quality in Nigeria. Nigeria’s healthcare budget has stagnated, largely due to political issues and inadequate funding allocations. We need strong leadership committed to elevating healthcare.
“Investing in research is also critical. During my years as a medical student at the University of Lagos, we faced frequent academic strikes, which hindered learning opportunities. Nigerian medical universities today should foster research to encourage evidence-based practices.
“I also propose establishing regional centres of excellence across the country to handle advanced care, supported by networks of community hospitals and local health centres. This model, combined with accountability measures, would optimise healthcare spending and resources.”
Dr. Ade-Conde’s practice spans a woman’s reproductive lifespan, providing care from conception to post-reproductive years and his expertise include fertility and reproductive technology, general gynaecology, minimally invasive surgery, and obstetrics.
Comparing the foreign healthcare system with the Nigerian healthcare system, Dr. Ade-Conde said, “The average Nigerian faces a much greater burden of disease than those in Europe or North America. While Nigeria’s 2023 healthcare budget was approximately two billion USD, Canada, with a much smaller population, allocated around 300 billion USD, and Ireland, with only about 5 million people, budgeted approximately 30 billion USD. This funding disparity places immense pressure on Nigeria’s limited healthcare resources.
“Moreover, Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure relies on federal, state, and local government funding, yet resources are often insufficient. COVID-19 underscored the consequences of underinvestment, as travel restrictions forced Nigerian leaders to rely solely on local facilities. If we aim for a self-sustaining system, it’s imperative to increase funding and improve resource allocation across the sector.”