Young Innovators Urged To Tackle Health Challenges With Tech

A pro-health organisation, eHealth Africa, has urged young Nigerian innovators to apply their creativity and technological skills to solve pressing challenges in the country’s health sector.

Speaking at the 2025 Insights Learning Forum (ILF) in Abuja yesterday, the executive director of eHealth Africa, Mr Atef Fawaz, emphasised that young people hold the key to health system transformation through innovation.

“There’s a lot to be done, and it all starts with young innovators.

“We want to see more ideas coming from Nigeria’s youth – not just in e-commerce, but in the health space where they are urgently needed,” he said.

Fawaz added that innovation is critical in tackling maternal mortality, strengthening disease surveillance, and improving access to healthcare in underserved areas.

He challenged young entrepreneurs to see the health sector as a viable space for tech-driven solutions, stressing that their skills are needed beyond profit-driven ventures.

“We urge the youth to channel their problem-solving energy into healthcare. The opportunities here are vast, and the impact is real,” he added.

eHealth Africa highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and innovators to create sustainable healthcare solutions.

“We believe in true partnerships, not patron-client relationships.

“The government provides direction, while partners and young talents bring solutions to the table,” said Fawaz.

He described signing a tripartite agreement at the forum as a turning point, opening new channels for joint planning and transparent communication.

Dr Ifunanya Ilodibe, chief executive director of eHealth Africa, stressed that digital health is no longer optional.

“It’s not a nice-to-have — it’s the only way to guarantee access, equity, and quality in healthcare delivery,” she said.

Ilodibe underscored the importance of empowering community health workers with digital tools, especially in rural areas, to bridge the access gap and improve health outcomes.

Director of Partnerships and Programmes at eHealth Africa, Mrs Ota Akhigbe, acknowledged existing gaps in human resources for digital health but expressed optimism.

“Nigeria has creativity, but we need to blend it with collaboration and capacity building — both local and international, to deliver real results,” she noted.

She explained that eHealth Africa develops and deploys digital tools for disease prevention, supply chain management, and emergency response.