Babatunji Wusu –
- Social innovation is essential for solving Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, with community involvement being a key driver.
- Effective healthcare solutions must be based on the specific needs of the local communities.
- The Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) brings together various sectors to address health issues.
- Maternal and child health remain urgent concerns, with Nigeria facing one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally.
- Collaborative efforts from the government, NGOs, and international partners are crucial for progress.
Social innovation is increasingly recognized as a powerful tool for tackling Nigeria’s healthcare challenges. At a recent workshop in Abuja, healthcare experts discussed how involving communities in health innovations is critical to creating lasting change. The event, titled Dissemination of Indigenous Social Health Innovation and Capacity Building, was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology (FMIST) in partnership with the Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI), Nigeria Hub.
Uche Amazigo, a prominent public health expert, emphasized that health research must be rooted in the realities of local communities. She stated that without this connection, any research or solution will likely fail to address the actual needs of the people. According to Amazigo, when communities are actively engaged, solutions become more practical and enduring, benefiting everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable.
The SIHI Nigeria Hub, led by Obioma Nwaorgu, advocates for a collaborative approach, engaging various stakeholders—including local communities, government officials, and private sector partners—to solve health challenges. Supported by organizations such as UNDP, UNICEF, and WHO, SIHI promotes the idea that Nigerians should take charge of solving their own health issues through evidence-based innovations. A key aspect of this approach is crowdsourcing ideas from local communities to ensure that health interventions directly address their needs.
Maternal and child health in Nigeria is an area of serious concern. According to recent studies, Nigeria accounts for nearly a third of global maternal deaths. The risk for Nigerian women is alarmingly high, with one in 19 women facing the possibility of dying from pregnancy-related complications—far higher than the risk in developed countries, where the risk is one in 4,900. The north-eastern region of the country, plagued by ongoing conflict and insecurity, suffers from some of the worst health outcomes for mothers and children.
In response, the Nigerian government has launched initiatives such as the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, aimed at improving primary healthcare services and reducing maternal and child mortality. Organizations like UNICEF and HelpMum are also working to improve maternal and child health through innovative interventions and research-based solutions.
Esuabana Asanya, Permanent Secretary of FMIST, stressed that the goals of SIHI align with President Bola Tinubu’s health sector priorities. Asanya emphasized the importance of innovation in overcoming Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, which include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to medical services, and high rates of malnutrition, particularly among women and children. By fostering collaboration between the government, healthcare professionals, and international partners, Nigeria has the potential to significantly improve its healthcare system and the health outcomes of its people.
