Africa’s Hidden Blueprint: Ifeloluwa Adefolaju on the Global Future of Patient-Centred Care

By Benson Michael

As healthcare systems around the world shift towards more patient-centred models, Africa is emerging as an unexpected but vital source of innovation. In this interview, pharmacist and Key Account Manager Ifeloluwa T. Adefolaju shares how necessity is fuelling human-centred solutions across the continent. From mobile health platforms to community-driven pharmacy care, Adefolaju outlines the practical, scalable approaches that are reshaping access to care and why the global pharmaceutical industry should start paying attention.

Interviewer: Ifeloluwa, thank you for joining us. Global healthcare systems are increasingly prioritising patient-centred models. How do you see Africa fitting into that conversation?

Ifeloluwa Adefolaju: It’s a great question, and one that’s often overlooked. Whilse innovation in patient-centred care is frequently attributed to high-income countries, I believe Africa offers a powerful and underappreciated blueprint. What is emerging across the continent is not born from abundance but from necessity. That is exactly what makes these solutions so human-centred and adaptable. In places like Nigeria, where infrastructure is uneven and out-of-pocket healthcare costs are high, people are compelled to design models that meet patients exactly where they are.

Interviewer: Can you share some examples of these grassroots innovations?

Adefolaju: Certainly. Mobile health platforms are a lifeline for many communities. Patients access WhatsApp or SMS-based services for medication reminders, teleconsultations, or counselling, often bypassing traditional clinics altogether. In urban areas plagued by traffic and in rural regions with limited infrastructure, these tools are bridging critical gaps in care.
We are also seeing pharmacy-led care evolve. Community pharmacists are not just dispensing medication. They are providing health education, triage, and even basic diagnostics. It is a redefined patient journey that is culturally relevant, cost-effective, and highly scalable.

Interviewer: That is fascinating. How do Patient Support Programs differ in African contexts?

Adefolaju: In Africa, PSPs are more integrated by design. Unlike the segmented services common in Western programs, where financial aid, adherence tools, and education are delivered separately, African PSPs often roll these elements into a single, accessible channel. They are also co-created with communities rather than imposed externally, which builds trust and sustainability.

Interviewer: What should multinational pharmaceutical companies take away from these models?

Adefolaju: Quite a lot. Traditional top-down approaches in global pharma can miss the mark, especially in emerging or underserved markets. Models that incorporate community insights, peer-led support, and bundled access are more inclusive and effective. Crucially, these grassroots solutions show that equity and efficiency can coexist. They are not mutually exclusive.

Interviewer: Can these models be applied outside Africa?

Adefolaju: Absolutely. A community pharmacy model in Lagos could inspire support strategies in rural Appalachia. A WhatsApp-based counselling tool in Abuja could serve low-literacy communities in Detroit. The principles of co-creation, integration, and adaptability are universally applicable.

Interviewer: Final thoughts. What is the big message for the pharmaceutical industry?

Adefolaju: The future of patient-centred care is not only about what high-income countries build. It is also about what they are willing to learn. African health systems have been innovating under constraint, and their ingenuity holds global lessons. It is time for the industry to listen, partner, and adapt. What is happening in Africa is not just local innovation. It is a global strategy playbook in the making.