FG to integrate digital identity into healthcare, targets universal coverage by 2030

The Federal Government has commenced plans to integrate trusted digital identity into Nigeria’s healthcare system as part of efforts to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC), improve patient care and expand health insurance coverage across the country.

 

The initiative is expected to enhance healthcare delivery by linking digital identity with patient records, health insurance enrolment, disease surveillance and service delivery.

 

The renewed push was reinforced during a strategic meeting between the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Pate described the newly enacted National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act, 2025, as a major reform that provides the legal foundation for a secure digital identity ecosystem to support Nigeria’s digital health transformation.

 

According to him, integrating digital identity into healthcare will eliminate gaps in patient identification, improve continuity of care and enable interoperable electronic medical records across health facilities.

 

He added that the initiative would strengthen disease surveillance, improve health planning, support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the security of citizens’ health data.

 

Pate said the system would also improve enrolment and beneficiary verification under the National Health Insurance programme, expanding financial protection for millions of Nigerians and supporting the country’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

 

The minister disclosed that Nigeria’s revitalised Primary Healthcare Centres currently record about 45 million patient visits every quarter, noting that a trusted digital identity system would improve patient management and service delivery.

 

To drive implementation, he directed the immediate establishment of a joint technical working group comprising officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Health Data and Digital Health Coordination Office, relevant health agencies and NIMC.

 

The committee will coordinate implementation, monitor progress and develop performance dashboards to track results across the health sector.

 

Pate also stressed that the initiative must be inclusive, ensuring that persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are not excluded from accessing healthcare services.

 

Earlier, NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the new NIMC Act provides the legal framework for secure digital authentication, interoperability and trusted digital services across government institutions.

 

She reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Health to provide the digital identity infrastructure needed to support ongoing health sector reforms.

 

According to her, the collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to building a more efficient, transparent and technology-driven healthcare system capable of delivering equitable healthcare services to all Nigerians.