Stakeholders Seek Evidence-Based Approach To Healthcare Innovation

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have called for a stronger evidence-based approach to healthcare innovation, stressing the need for research, sustainable financing and effective partnerships to ensure that new solutions translate into improved health outcomes.

They made the call at the 2026 Future of Health Conference organised by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja, where policymakers, health professionals, researchers, innovators and development partners examined ways to move healthcare innovations from pilot projects to sustainable interventions.

Speaking at the conference, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said healthcare innovations must be supported by local research and evidence to guide decisions on their adoption, financing and implementation.

Ohiri disclosed that the NHIA was developing a health technology assessment process to evaluate innovations and determine their relevance and potential value to the country’s health system.

He said the Authority had also partnered with Nigeria Health Watch to establish a locally focused research platform, through which five independent researchers were selected through a competitive process to examine issues affecting healthcare delivery.

According to him, evidence generated through such research would help policymakers make informed decisions and ensure that resources are directed towards interventions capable of delivering measurable benefits.

The NHIA boss also emphasised the need to strengthen the capacity of primary healthcare workers beyond clinical services, particularly in facility governance, financial management and data administration.

In her remarks, the Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Vivianne Ihekweazu, said the conference was designed to examine innovations addressing existing health challenges and how such solutions could be scaled up through partnerships and sustainable financing.

She highlighted areas including maternal health, family planning, digital health, climate-resilient healthcare facilities, agriculture and nutrition, as well as vaccine research and development.

The conference, themed:*“From Innovation to Impact: The Future of Health Is Now” *also featured discussions on strengthening West Africa’s capacity to lead vaccine trials, including issues around trial design, research-site readiness, data ownership and regulatory review.

Among the innovations showcased was Project HOPE’s initiative to introduce point-of-care ultrasound services at primary healthcare facilities to improve pregnancy screening and maternal healthcare.

The initiative uses a hub-and-spoke model, with selected facilities equipped with ultrasound machines while health workers receive training and mentorship to provide screening services and refer women requiring further care.

Other presentations examined digital solutions for primary healthcare accountability, evidence generation for universal health coverage and the development of climate-resilient health facilities.

Participants stressed that innovations must be evaluated, adequately funded and integrated into existing health systems to ensure that they can be sustained and expanded beyond pilot projects.