BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
: L-R: Prof. Oladipo Ashiru and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa at the 17th Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas Memorial Lecture in Lagos recently.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa has disclosed that health data would be huge source of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the sector and Nigeria generally.
He stated this over the weekend at the 17th Horatio Oritsejolomi Thomas Memorial Lecture and 61st Founders Day Lecture at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
Late Prof. Thomas was the foundation Dean of the University of Lagos Medical School, which is the alma mater of the minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.
Alausa, who represented the Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila hinted that since his appointment, he had worked tirelessly to interrogate the health data in Nigeria, with the aim of translating it into one critical aspect of health industrialization.
He said: "In addition to how we can translate data into evidence to strengthen our health system, I hope to equally improve the digital health scope as a country considering the high impact it can have on the health system.'
The minister disclosed that digital health is central to efficient management of healthcare systems to enable equitability, quality healthcare delivery and affordability.
He described digital health as a broad and multidisciplinary healthcare that uses information and communication technologies in medicine and other health professions to manage illness and promote wellness.
Alausa described the Late Prof Thomas as an outstanding medical icon, a reputable scholar and a distinguished pioneer of Nigeria Plastic Surgeons.
The Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. David Oke said that Prof. Thomas was a medical pioneer specialised in facial reconstructive and plastic surgery, adding that he was a visionary man, who had mentored many generation of doctors and other medical practitioners.
In his lecture titled “Transforming healthcare through Medical Education to digital innovation: from AI (Artificial Intelligence) assisted interventions to EduTech”, the guest speaker, Prof. Oladipo Ashiru said that the lecture focused on the transformation of Health Care and Medical Education (HCME) through digital innovations, with particular emphasis on the role of AI-assisted technology in HCME.
He pointed out that the future of digital innovation in healthcare and medical education is incredibly promising, saying that Artificial Intelligence is at the forefront of the revolution, with the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery.
"AI’s ability to continuously monitor and analyse patient health data, including data from fitness trackers, provides real-time insights into individual activity levels and heart health.
"This data-driven approach empowers healthcare professionals to create highly personalised treatment plans, ensuring more effective and efficient care," he added.
Late Prof. Thomas was the first Chairman Lagos University Teaching Hospital Management Board.
He was also the first professor of Surgery at College of Medicine University of Lagos and pioneer Provost of the College of Medicine University of Lagos. He later became the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan from 1972 to 1975 before his death in 1979.
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