Nigeria and its component regions lack interoperable electronic health record systems which according to the World Health Organisation, can boost universal health coverage in countries. Oluwatobi Odeyinka writes on an initiative of the Lagos State government to digitise the medical records of all residents and allow seamless exchange of data across all medical facilities in the state. He explores the solutions promised by this initiative and the concerns of residents and experts regarding its implementation.
Kofoworola Olufemi was rushed to a hospital for an emergency in March 2024. Her husband was away at work, and there was nothing her six-year-old daughter could do when her life hung in the balance. Her Neighbour rushed her to a nearby private hospital in the Agege area of Lagos State.
The hospital attendants asked if she had a card with them, and when they were told she was a new patient, they requested a cash deposit to “open a record” for her and immediately run tests.
