CEO and co-Founder of Reliance Health, Dr. Femi Kuti, who is a prominent figure in the Nigerian healthcare sector, has identified and proferred solutions that will address healthcare challenges in Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent interview on ARISE NEWS Channels, Kuti provided a deep dive into the Nigerian healthcare system, passionately shedding light on game-changing solutions and innovations poised to reshape the future of healthcare in Nigeria.
The insightful conversation highlighted some critical aspects of infrastructure development and the immense potential of digital health solutions to enhance healthcare access and quality in Nigeria. However, Dr. Kuti emphasised the need for collaboration between various stakeholders (public and private) to address the emerging challenges. While acknowledging the key improvements in the healthcare landscape over the past decade, he highlighted the importance of addressing infrastructure gaps, ethical considerations, and distribution hurdles to ensure equitable access for all Nigerians. The discussion touched upon the ongoing efforts by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Ministry of Health to strengthen regulations and raise the bar for HMOs. Dr. Kuti commended these efforts, highlighting their potential to build trust within the healthcare ecosystem.
During the interview, Dr. Kuti shared his perspective on the progress made within the Nigerian healthcare system, stating, “if you look broadly at the Nigerian healthcare system, we’re not there yet. We still have our challenges, but there has been significant improvement over the last 10 years. We now have significant multi-specialist hospitals that have opened across Lagos and other major cities offering high-end surgeries, that were previously only available abroad. Likewise, we are witnessing a reverse trend of skills transfer, where doctors, surgeons, and physicians who trained abroad are returning to Nigeria, bringing their expertise back to their home country after initially starting their training here.”
This compelling insight from Dr. Kuti highlights the progress made in Nigerian healthcare, while acknowledging the existing challenges that still need to be addressed.
The dialogue also emphasised the need for digital health solutions to be designed with Nigeria’s existing infrastructure in mind to maximise their impact and ensure they reach a wider audience. In corroboration, there is a need for increased support to enhance the distribution of digital health services. He pointed out that an appreciable portion of the population has access to mobile phones, but internet connectivity and reliable power supply remain challenges. Dr. Kuti urged stakeholders to focus on solutions that function well within these constraints.
Another important aspect of the dialogue centers on the need for concerted efforts from the government and private entities like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to push the envelope further.
In addition, the dialogue also touched on the current state of healthcare insurance in Nigeria and offered insights into the ongoing improvements and challenges within the sector. Dr. Kuti described the situation as an “inflection point” with significant potential for positive change to be spearheaded by key health authorities and private sector innovation.
The discussion also shed light on the ethical considerations surrounding digital health. Dr. Kuti identified quality of care and data privacy as the two most critical aspects that should be safeguarded. “As we implement these solutions, we must ensure they uphold the highest standards of care and protect the sensitive health data of individuals,” Dr. Kuti stated.
He assured listeners that reputable HMOs like Reliance Health prioritize providing patients with access to the best possible care, understanding that proper treatment at the outset translates to lower costs in the long run. Dr. Kuti also commended the enforcement of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation, underscoring Reliance Health’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive patient information.
Dr. Kuti also advocated for clear communication and the fulfillment of promises, which are cornerstones of a healthy healthcare ecosystem. These are also fundamental drivers for strengthening trust among healthcare providers, insurers, and patients. Citing an example of prompt delivery updates, Dr. Kuti explained that keeping patients informed throughout their healthcare journey fosters a sense of security and fosters trust in the system.
Dr. Kuti is a leading innovator at the vanguard of Africa’s digital healthcare revolution.
As the CEO/co-Founder of Reliance Health, the visionary company behind Reliance HMO (a Next-Gen HMO catering to businesses in Nigeria), Dr. Kuti has consistently led the charge in transforming healthcare delivery through groundbreaking technological solutions.
