The Ogun State Government has warned private hospitals operating in the State to comply with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) standards or risk losing government registration and recognition, as it inaugurated a Digital in Health Initiative Technical Working Committee to accelerate the digital transformation of the healthcare system.

Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, gave the warning during the inauguration of the committee in Abeokuta, noting that the initiative, which aligns with the objectives of the Federal Government's National Digital in Health Initiative, is aimed at leveraging technology to improve access to quality healthcare, bridge service delivery gaps and reduce health inequalities across the State.

Coker noted that Ogun State had taken the lead in digitising health records across its public health facilities as part of its commitment to the Federal Government's health sector reforms, particularly the drive to establish an integrated digital healthcare system capable of improving service delivery, strengthening health data management and ensuring continuity of care.

"We have so far digitalised and operationalised 60 health facilities across Ogun State and we are committed to ensuring that every public health facility embraces digital technology to improve healthcare delivery. Private hospitals must also comply with the Electronic Medical Records standard because facilities that fail to meet the requirement will neither be registered nor recognised by the State Government," she disclosed.

The Commissioner called on private health facilities to key into the State Government's digital health reforms, saying a coordinated approach involving both public and private healthcare providers was critical to building a more efficient and technology-driven health system.

Giving an overview of the National Digital in Health Initiative, the Director of ICT, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Motunrayo Odumuyiwa, described the initiative as a sector-wide framework designed to integrate digital technologies into a unified healthcare system, stressing that beyond technology, it seeks to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for every Nigerian, regardless of location or socio-economic status.

Also speaking, the State Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Solape Folarin, said Ogun remained among the states implementing the national digital health reform agenda, urging all relevant stakeholders to embrace the initiative in view of the Senate's recent passage of the National e-Health Bill.

Speaking on behalf of development partners, the representative of APIN Initiative, Pharmacist Mike Ohue, reaffirmed his organisation's commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen digital health systems and optimise healthcare reforms in Ogun State.

The Technical Working Committee comprises the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; the Permanent Secretary, Hospital Management Board; directors from both institutions; representatives of development partners and private hospitals, with the Commissioner for Health serving as Chairperson.