Building capacity in Nigeria
Dr. Azeke (right), a local public health physician in Opoji, consults with a Cardiology/Internal Medicine specialist from Providence using the telehealth device for support with patient care. The patient (center) is a 92-year-old farmer from Opoji.
Nigeria, located on the western coast of Africa, is one of the most populous countries in the world, with approximately 200 million people. It has many ethnic groups with unique cultural traditions and over 500 spoken languages (World Atlas). Music, dance, and family are central parts of Nigeria’s rich and diverse culture. Despite having such a large and diverse population, Nigeria’s physician to population ratio is just 0.38 physicians for every 1,000 people—not nearly enough physicians to meet the country’s health needs (World Bank).
Nigeria also grapples with an issue known as “brain drain.” This is when highly skilled and educated Nigerians move abroad for more opportunities and higher wages. It’s estimated that one-fifth of physicians born in Africa emigrate to work in high-income countries (Dohlman). Compounding the issue further, Africa suffers 24% of the global disease burden but only has access to 3% of the world’s health workers (World Health Organization). This creates major gaps in the already under-resourced Nigerian health system, leaving many patients without access to vital health services.
Members of the Opoji community at the Unveiling Ceremony.
World Telehealth Initiative’s new program addresses these issues by expanding healthcare access through a clinical mentorship program in Opoji, Nigeria. The Kingdom of Opoji is a group of rural villages in southern Nigeria, where most residents are farmers.
In 2021, we formed a partnership with two nonprofit organizations that align with our mission, Urban Health 360 and Precious Gems. They highlighted the great need for healthcare in Opoji, Nigeria, establishing a vital partnership to support the ongoing health needs of this region. Opoji has a remarkably high death rate due to preventable and treatable illnesses. The nearest hospital is 38 miles away and largely inaccessible due to poverty and lack of transportation. We are partnering with the local health center to build the capacity of Opoji’s healthcare system.
Our program will train and support physicians, medical students, and care teams in Opoji so they are equipped to address more complex and specialized health needs in their community. Medical specialists from Providence, one of the United States’ largest not for profit healthcare systems spanning seven states, will regularly mentor local healthcare professionals in Opoji via telehealth. The local health center was previously vacant and shuttered, but now is staffed with local healthcare professionals who are eager to participate in the telehealth program. The project will ultimately decrease the effects of brain drain in the area and enable access to essential health services for patients in need.
The Opoji Comprehensive Health Center.
Many players are critical to the success of this program. We all play different roles, but at the heart of our respective missions is an emphasis on holistically collaborating with the communities we serve. Ensuring community buy-in and support is crucial to the success and long-term impact of our programs. We are inspired by the excitement of the healthcare professionals in Opoji and the wonderful gift of volunteered time and expertise from the specialists at Providence. We look forward to seeing how this program will bring hope and health to the community for generations to come.