Communique – Telemedicine & the Future of Healthcare in Nigeria
JEE in line with its sector initiative, and expertise in the Health & Pharmaceuticals industry, organised a one day Webinar titled “Telemedicine & the Future of Healthcare in Nigeria; Legal Regulatory & Policy Considerations”.
The event assembled a panel of distinguished stakeholders and leaders in the healthcare industry to discuss the growth and evolution of Telemedicine in Nigeria, it’s importance to the future of healthcare in the country, as well as the issues militating against its growth and development, particularly regarding legal, regulatory and policy matters. Participants on the panel included Dr. T. A. B. Sanusi (Registrar of Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria), Dr. Akinoso Olujimi Coker (Chief Medical Director, Lagoon Hospitals), Prof. Mohammed Sambo (Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Health Insurance Scheme), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi (Director-General/CEO of NITDA), Dr. Debo Odulana (Founder, Doctora), Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha (Partner & Sector Head, Health & Pharmaceuticals, Jackson, Etti & Edu), Mr. Asamah Kadiri (Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Jackson, Etti & Edu) and Mrs. Ngozi Aderibigbe (Partner, Commercial IP & Data Protection, Jackson, Etti & Edu).
The event was constituted into three main parts; an Opening Address delivered by Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, Partner & Sector Head Health & Pharmaceuticals at Jackson, Etti & Edu, followed by a panel discussion and contributions by the Panelists, and a Q & A interactive session with participants in the webinar, ably moderated by Mr. Toyosi Odunmbaku (Senior Associate & Deputy Sector Head Health & Pharmaceuticals, Jackson, Etti & Edu).
Opening Address
In delivering the Opening Address, Mrs. Okorocha, set the underlying tone for various discussions on the topic of the day and summarized the core focus of the event. She discussed the current state of the health care system in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need to develop the telemedicine and telehealth space to address some of the challenges plaguing the sector. She addressed the legal and policy deficit in the healthcare sector, while hinting on possible guidelines for improving the relevant framework to ensure that a sustainable and effective health system is developed.