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Obasanjo: Access to Quality Healthcare Remains a Major Challenge for Nigerians |
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says access to quality healthcare in Nigeria remains a national crisis. CARE 365 Health Hub seeks to bridge the gap nationwide.
Obasanjo Laments Poor Access to Healthcare in Nigeria
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns that access to quality healthcare continues to be one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, despite years of reforms and promises.
Speaking at the launch of the CARE 365 Health Hub in Abuja, Obasanjo stressed that millions of Nigerians still die from preventable diseases because they cannot afford treatment or reach a doctor in time.
CARE 365 Health Hub: A Game-Changer for Nigeria’s Healthcare
The CARE 365 Health Hub is an innovative ecosystem designed to improve access to affordable healthcare. It combines:
- Health Monitoring Kiosks – already installed in Abuja, capable of running vital signs checks and connecting patients directly to doctors.
- Mobile Clinics – designed to reach underserved rural and riverine communities.
- Telemedicine App – offering consultations with local and international doctors in real time.
- Pool of Specialist Doctors – both in Nigeria and abroad, providing expert medical support.
Obasanjo described the initiative as a tool of social justice, likening its potential impact to that of the mobile phone revolution in Africa.
For more on digital healthcare innovations in Nigeria, visit the Federal Ministry of Health.
Calls for Equity in Healthcare Access
Obasanjo emphasized that healthcare should not be a privilege reserved for the wealthy or urban elite but a fundamental right for every Nigerian.
“It is unacceptable that in an age of artificial intelligence and space tourism, a Nigerian child should die of malaria because her mother could not afford transport to the nearest clinic,” he declared.
He urged leaders and policymakers to ensure the initiative reaches IDP camps, border towns, and remote villages where access to doctors is nearly impossible.
Abdulsalami Abubakar and CARE 365 Leadership
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), who chairs the CARE 365 board, echoed Obasanjo’s concerns. He explained that Obasanjo personally persuaded him to take on the role, underscoring the urgency of the mission.
On a serious note, Abubakar warned that Nigeria’s healthcare facilities remain inadequate and called for collective support from government and the private sector.
For related insights on global health transparency, you can also explore the World Health Organization.
Government Endorsement of CARE 365
Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, highlighted that CARE 365 aligns with the government’s four-pillar strategy for health reform:
- Governance and accountability
- Improved healthcare outcomes
- Unlocking the healthcare value chain
- Strengthening health security
He noted that CARE 365 represents the digital transformation Nigeria needs to close healthcare gaps, especially for rural and marginalized communities.
The Vision Behind CARE 365
Engineer Ngozi Joseph Odumuko, the founder of CARE 365, explained that the innovation was inspired by his desire to replicate the convenience of Western healthcare systems in Nigeria.
“With CARE 365, someone in a remote village can access the same quality consultation as someone in London or Washington,” Odumuko said.
The subscription-based model is designed to be affordable for low-income families, roadside traders, and underserved populations.
Obasanjo’s remarks at the CARE 365 launch reaffirm that access to quality healthcare in Nigeria remains a national emergency. While the government has laid out reform strategies, initiatives like CARE 365 provide practical solutions by leveraging technology to bridge the healthcare gap.
For Nigeria to achieve universal health coverage, experts stress that collaboration between government, private sector, and communities will be essential.
