Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
Nigeria health conference urges practical, evidence-led solutions
Nigeria continues to face gaps in essential healthcare, including shortages of health workers and inadequate financing.
Experts gathered at Nigeria Health Watch’s 2026 Future of Health Conference to discuss how to strengthen the country’s health system.
They said health innovations should be judged by real improvements in care, not just by whether a new technology has been developed.
A device, for example, may have limited impact if trained workers cannot use it or patients cannot get follow-up treatment.
Reliable data can change how health progress is measured: a national survey revised Nigeria’s estimate of people living with HIV from 3.2 million to 1.8 million, changing the reported treatment coverage figure.
Researchers also presented work on malaria drug resistance and said findings need to reach policymakers and shape health programmes.
Community involvement can help identify infections missed by routine surveillance, including in research on Lassa fever.
Nigeria Health Watch’s 2026 Future of Health Conference urged practical, evidence-led approaches to improving healthcare.
The 11th annual conference brought together policymakers, researchers, health professionals, innovators, development partners and private-sector representatives.
Discussions focused on taking promising innovations beyond pilot projects so they can reach more people and improve health outcomes over time.
Experts said innovations should be judged by their real-world impact, including whether they are affordable, accessible and sustainable.
Sessions also highlighted reliable data and community involvement as important to health decisions, research and disease surveillance.
- Who
- Nigeria Health Watch organised the conference, bringing together health and development stakeholders.
- What
- The conference examined how to translate healthcare innovations into practical improvements in service delivery.
- When
- 2026. The exact conference date is not stated.
- Where
- Nigeria. The conference location is not stated.
- Why
- To discuss ways to strengthen Nigeria’s health system and help effective interventions reach more people.
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- Conference edition
- 11th annual Future of Health Conference
- Organiser
- Nigeria Health Watch
- HIV estimate revision
- From 3.2 million to 1.8 million people living with HIV in Nigeria
- Research focus
- Molecular analysis of malaria parasites to identify patterns of drug resistance
- Community research
- The ENABLE study examined Lassa fever and community engagement