HMO calls for technology-driven healthcare practices in Nigeria
A Nigerian Healthcare Maintenance Organisation (HMO), SUNU Health, has called for technology-driven healthcare practices in the country.
The HMO made the call in Lagos on Thursday at its third quarter providers’ forum, with the theme: “Redefining Healthcare Delivery: Harnessing Technology in Healthcare Practice.”
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Usifo Aikpokpo, of the Medical Department, SUNU Health, said that the objective was to foster and encourage use of technology among HMOs, providers and enrollees, with the aim of eliminating bottlenecks impeding access care.
Aikpokpo said that redefining healthcare delivery through technology would help to promote effective care, aid confidentiality, promote effective care, reduce wastage and aid resources and time management.
According to him, focusing on value-based care will promote preventive care and reduce unnecessary procedures and hospitalisation as well as balance cost with quality care and reduce waste.
He identified the challenges associated with technology-driven healthcare practices to include: data privacy and security, interoperability issues, high implementation cost as well as resistance to change.
Aikpokpo, however, said that the organisation was doing pilot programme lessons which revealed challenges, scaling framework, expanding technology use and roadmaps which defined steps for future iteration.
Earlier, the Managing Director of SUNU Health, Dr Patrick Korie, said that the importance and pivotal role of technology in the delivery of efficient and effective modern healthcare could not be over-emphasised.
Korie, represented by Dr Faith Nwachi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SUNU Health, said that the organisation could not have come this far without the cooperation of its major stakeholders.
He said that the HMO had invested in new and better technology in its 24-hour Contact Centre to improve communication and interactions between it and the stakeholders.
“We have also invested in new and more robust operational software for seamless claims and management.
“You can deduce from these actions that SUNU Health is a listening HMO and shall not take for granted the outcome of our discussions in this forum,” he said.
Supreme news reports that participants at the forum included: National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), health providers and representatives of hospitals.
