Godswill Njoku: Innovating Nigeria’s Healthcare Landscape with Telemedicine and AI

Godswill Njoku, a 24-year-old Nigerian, is revolutionizing healthcare with his telemedicine firm, Hospiyou Inc., aimed at making quality healthcare accessible for all. He discussed challenges within Nigeria’s healthcare system, the evolution of telemedicine, regulatory gaps, and the impactful role of artificial intelligence. His personal experience motivates his mission, as he focuses on bridging healthcare gaps through technology and advocating for necessary policy changes to enhance telemedicine adoption.

Godswill Njoku, aged 24, is a Nigerian innovator transforming global healthcare by combining technology, artificial intelligence, and medicine. He founded Hospiyou Inc., a health technology enterprise dedicated to creating medical products and devices aimed at making quality healthcare accessible and affordable to all. In a recent interview with Kenneth Athekame, he discussed the prospects of telemedicine and the current state of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Dr. Njoku studied general medicine in Bulgaria, honing his skills through internships primarily in Neurosurgery and Cardiology across various European hospitals. His motivation for entering the telemedicine sphere stemmed from a personal tragedy – the untimely death of his best friend, which he believes could have been prevented had Hospiyou existed at the time, facilitating timely medical support from home.

He characterized Nigeria’s healthcare system as severely underfunded and grappling with numerous challenges, including insufficient infrastructure, a lack of healthcare workers, and poor access to quality services, particularly in rural regions. He noted that he self-financed Hospiyou, sacrificing his own living circumstances to bring his vision to life without external financial assistance.

Telemedicine has seen rapid evolution in Nigeria, propelled by increased smartphone usage, internet accessibility, and the COVID-19 pandemic. While numerous startups and organizations have emerged in this space, telemedicine adoption faces hurdles such as infrastructural inadequacies and regulatory ambiguities.

The primary obstacles to telemedicine adoption include limited internet and electricity access in rural areas, low digital literacy levels among both patients and healthcare providers, and significant trust concerns regarding remote consultations. Notably, telemedicine is effectively closing healthcare gaps by offering remote consultations and specialist access in underserved regions

In terms of technological influences, progressing internet connectivity and smartphone use are essential for enhancing telemedicine in Nigeria. However, challenges persist in rural populations due to inadequate network coverage, prompting innovative approaches like USSD-based services to facilitate better access.

Regarding regulatory frameworks, Nigeria’s policies are still developing, significantly lagging behind countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and India. While some initiatives from the government seek to advance telehealth, the primary momentum is driven by private firms and non-governmental organizations.

The digital infrastructure in Nigeria, particularly in urban settings, supports basic telemedicine services, yet rural areas continue to struggle with weak internet connectivity and unreliable power supplies. Despite advancements, challenges remain, affecting real-time telemedicine delivery.

Artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in Nigerian telemedicine, being utilized for diagnostics, risk assessment, and creating personalized treatment plans. Njoku highlighted the initiatives of Hospiyou to develop advanced AI-driven medical testing systems to enhance diagnostics further.

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) possess the potential to improve telehealth by streamlining patient histories and fostering better coordination of care. Nonetheless, their adoption remains low due to issues such as cost and lack of compatibility across different healthcare systems.

Potential technological innovations like AI-driven diagnostics, Internet of Things (IoT) enabled monitoring devices, and blockchain technology could further enhance telemedicine services throughout Nigeria. Regarding funding, Njoku revealed that while he self-funded Hospiyou, available funding options for telemedicine startups often include venture capital and government grants.

Private sector engagement is crucial for accelerating innovation and infrastructure in telemedicine, suggesting that collaborations with telecommunications companies and financial institutions could boost telehealth initiatives. Additionally, telemedicine has altered doctor-patient dynamics, improving accessibility while raising concerns about the personal touch and trust between parties in the consultation process.

Looking forward, Dr. Njoku envisions a future where AI will be more integrated into telemedicine, supported by improved regulations, enhanced 5G coverage, and increased insurance availability for telehealth services. Recommended policy changes include establishing a robust regulatory framework for telemedicine and better supporting healthcare providers in adopting these technologies.

In summary, Godswill Njoku is a pioneering force in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape through his establishment of Hospiyou, which aims to improve healthcare access via telemedicine. He emphasizes the current challenges of the Nigerian healthcare system and the critical role of private sector involvement and technological innovations to address these issues. As telemedicine advances, especially in response to the post-pandemic world, strategic government policies will be essential to support its growth and accessibility across the nation.

Original Source: businessday.ng