Digital Health is Central to Efficient Management of Healthcare System…. Dr. Alausa

Dr. Tunji Alausa and Prof Oladapo Ashiru, Guest Speaker

"Since my appointment in office I have worked tirelessly to interrogate the health data architecture in Nigeria with the aim of translating our data into one critical aspect of health industrialization, which by implication will become a huge source of revenue generation for our country." Dr. Alausa

Digital health, according to Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, is central to efficient management of healthcare systems to enable equitability, good quality healthcare delivery and affordability.

Alausa made this statement at the 17th Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas Memorial Lecture to mark the 61st Founders Day Lecture, held at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, were he represented the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Special Guest of Honour and in his capacity as the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.

This position of the Honourable Minister was captured in a statement issued and signed by Patricia Deworitshe, Director Media and Public Relations of the Ministry 

According to Dr. Alausa, "digital health is a broad, multidisciplinary aspect that refers to the use of information and communication technologies in medicine and other health professions to manage illness and health risk as well as promote wellness. 

"Since my appointment in office I have worked tirelessly to interrogate the health data architecture in Nigeria with the aim of translating our data into one critical aspect of health industrialization, which by implication will become a huge source of revenue generation for our country, in addition to how we can translate data into evidence for our health system strengthening. I hope to equally improve our digital health scope as a country considering the high impact it can have on our health system."

Speaking further, Alausa described the Late Prof. Horatio Thomas, as an outstanding medical icon, a reputable scholar and a distinguished pioneer of Nigeria Plastic Surgeons. 

Late Prof. Thomas was the foundation Dean of the University of Lagos Medical School, which is the alma mater of the Minister of State. He was the first Chairman Lagos University Teaching Hospital Management Board. The first Prof. of Surgery at College of Medicine University of Lagos, the pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine University of Lagos, following which he became the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan (1972-1975). Sadly late Prof. Thomas passed on to glory in 1979.

Earlier, Provost College of Medicine, Prof. David Oke, said Prof. Thomas was a medical pioneer specialized in facial reconstructive and plastic surgery, a visionary man who has mentored many generation of doctors and indeed medical practitioners.

The Guest Speaker, Prof. Oladipo Ashiru in his lecture titled "Transforming healthcare and Medical Education through Medical Education to digital innovation: from AI (Artificial Intelligence) assisted interventions to EduTech," said the lecture focuses on the transformation of Health Care and Medical Education (HCME) through digital innovations, with a particular emphasis on the role of AI-assisted technology in HCME. 

According to him, "the future of digital innovation in healthcare and medical education is incredibly promising and it’s evident that we are already well into this transformative journey. Artificial Intelligence stands at the forefront of this revolution, with the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery. AI’s ability to continuously monitor and analyze patient health data, including data from fitness trackers, provides real-time insights into individual activity levels and heart health. This data-driven approach empowers healthcare professionals to create highly personalized treatment plans, ensuring more effective and efficient care."