Access to quality healthcare remains a critical issue in Nigeria. Over the past decades, this problem has been compounded by the unregulated emigration of Nigerian physicians to countries in Europe, the Middle East, and the United States of America. This situation leaves millions of Nigerians without access to caregivers and medical consultations. The departure of a healthcare professional creates an almost irreplaceable void in the health infrastructure. Challenges like this constitute a daunting barrier as they fracture the pool of skilled human resources vital for fostering a healthy and productive population.
Additionally, the statistics paint a grim picture, with a heavy burden placed on the few remaining, yet poorly remunerated doctors who have not yet left the country. For instance, according to the World Health Organization, Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, with 512 deaths per 100,000 live births — largely due to inaccessible and unaffordable healthcare services. To intervene in this medical crisis, our project, Homnics, is building a digital infrastructure highway aimed at reversing the trend of medical brain drain.
As a telemedicine platform, Homnics collaborated with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) during their recently concluded medical mission. With Homnics’ Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, ANPA physicians were able to deliver the first digitized mission in their thirty-year history. Completing the mission without paper trails opens a new vista for medical doctors to follow up with patients anywhere they may be post-mission. This ensures that missions are no longer one-off events but part of a sustained care system. The success ANPA achieved with Homnics means that about 50 doctors registered on the platform can now serve over 500 patients using Homnics’ video consultations and AI-powered note-taking features.
Most of the doctors we work with are Nigerians eager to give back to their communities. This opens the door to tackling one of Nigeria’s major healthcare challenges: accessibility and affordability. Many states in Nigeria are particularly affected, with only 30% of healthcare facilities adequately equipped to provide essential services. Additionally, this situation forces up to 79% of individuals and families to travel long distances for medical care, increasing the health risks for vulnerable populations — especially those who cannot afford or endure such journeys. Among them are persons with disabilities, who make up approximately 15% of Nigeria’s population and face even greater challenges.
Moreover, Nigeria’s healthcare system suffers from inefficiencies in diagnosis and continuity of care. The absence of a centralized medical records system fragments patient information, leading to misdiagnosis and repeated tests. These inefficiencies not only escalate healthcare costs but also delay treatments — which can be life-threatening for those with chronic conditions or urgent care needs.
However, with the growing success that Homnics is achieving, this problem can be addressed. As demonstrated during the ANPA mission, our EMR system enabled continuity of care, efficient documentation, and follow-ups beyond the physical outreach — proving that digital tools can transform access to quality healthcare in Nigeria.
