Sina Uti-Waziri, Head of Unit, Local Economic Development in SEDIN presenting the objectives of the PHC Innovation Programme at the Open Day in Abuja. Photo: Annabel Nwachukwu/Radio Nigeria.
The German Cooperation in Nigeria (GIZ) is supporting entrepreneurs to promote innovation in primary health care (PHC) in Nigeria.
The GIZ through the Pro-Poor Growth and Promotion of Employment in Nigeria (GIZ-SEDIN) programme provides support for MSMEs in Nigeria and wants to provide same in the health sector through its BACKUP-Health programme.
At the first Primary Healthcare Innovation Open Day on Wednesday, GIZ-SEDIN hosted three innovators who emerged winners from a PHC Hackathon in Abuja. The Hackathon launched in early 2023 was tagged H-HACK.
Mr Markus Wauschkukn, the Cluster Coordinator and Head of Programme, SEDIN, said the gathering was to present the results of an investigation carried out to ascertain the needs, challenges and opportunities for innovators in primary healthcare (PHC) in Nigeria.
Pointing out that the covid 19 pandemic revealed the gaps in the health sector in Nigeria, Sina Uti-Waziri, Head of Unit, Local Economic Development in SEDIN stated that this was the first collaboration of GIZ in the health sector.
Ms Uti-Waziri said the Hackathon was aimed at supporting already existing innovations who are already proffering solutions in the health sector and also promotes better healthcare service delivery to women.
Also, Margherita Trestini, the Marketing Director of one of the partners said the choice of the innovators to support was based on the research carried out which identified the challenges in the Primary healthcare.
She listed the challenges to include financial and infrastructural gaps as well as inadequate professionals at the PHC level.
About the Innovations
Three innovators emerged winners from the Hackathon and GIZ is to promote and facilitate their adoption as well as help them laise with relevant stakeholders in the private and public sector.
They are Uche Kenneth Udekwe who developed a mobile technology that provides healthcare information, mental and emotional support for pregnant women.
Dr Simpa Dania created a platform that helps healthcare providers digitise their processes for better service delivery.
While Fauziya Ibrahim and Eric Maranga developed a platform where patients can track their health records, find health practitioners and book appointments for physical consultation.
Present at the event were representatives from National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), EU and other development partners from the private sector.
Reporting by Annabel Nwachukwu