The Delta State Government has inaugurated a 61-member State Digital-in-Health Technical Stakeholders Committee to drive the implementation of a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) in the state’s health sector.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday at the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Asaba.
Speaking before inaugurating the committee, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, described the adoption of the sector-wide approach as a critical step towards strengthening the health sector. He noted that SWAp would promote a unified policy framework and a shared management system aligned with government priorities.
Dr. Emu explained that effective implementation of the approach would guarantee a seamless health system, enabling citizens to access quality healthcare services anywhere in the country. He added that, in the era of digital transformation, patients would be able to conveniently access their medical records and health data at the click of a button.
The SSG urged committee members to be deliberate, committed, and proactive in driving the process for the overall benefit of Nigerians, emphasizing the need for transformational rather than transactional leadership. He noted that the approach offers immense knowledge-sharing opportunities and called on all critical stakeholders to participate actively.
While acknowledging that challenges may arise, Dr. Emu cautioned that such obstacles must not derail the objectives of the initiative. He pointed out that funding constraints could occur and encouraged members to prudently manage available resources to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme.
In his welcome remarks, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, who also serves as Chairman of the Committee, reaffirmed the Delta State Government’s commitment to building an efficient, equitable, and high-quality health system, with a strong emphasis on digitization. He stated that the government recognizes the transformative role of digital technology in strengthening health systems, improving health financing, enhancing public health effectiveness, and expanding access to universal health coverage.
Earlier, the Delta SWAp Coordinator, Dr. Samuel Oyawiri, in a presentation, highlighted the key elements and benefits of implementing the sector-wide approach in the state. He identified core principles such as digital health infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, interoperability, and the integration of all digital systems into the national health framework. He also called for strong governance and leadership structures, continuous training for healthcare workers, and the promotion of digital literacy to accelerate implementation.
In a goodwill message, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Health Consultant, Mr. Kenneth Mac-Fisi, commended the Delta State Government for its leadership and the collaboration of partners in advancing digital transformation for improved health outcomes. He reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting capacity building, data quality improvement, interoperability, and the sustainable use of digital tools to ensure the initiative delivers measurable impact.
The Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative (NDHI), launched in March 2024 and approved by the National Council on Health, was established to support Nigeria’s health system transformation efforts. The initiative aims to enhance the accessibility, availability, efficiency, and quality of healthcare services across the country.
