[Opinion] Advancing Fight Against Anti-microbial Resistance Through Health Data Security in Nigeria – By Kingsley Mecha

The Senate’s recent approval of establishing a Federal Data Bank in Nigeria has sparked enthusiasm among several innovators, notably Celestine Ugwu, a software engineer with Veracel HealthTech, and Kingsley Mecha, an anti-microbial steward and public health innovator. This pivotal choice holds the potential to significantly advance well-informed tactics against antibiotic resistance and revolutionize disease surveillance and response systems. This move showcases the government’s steadfast dedication to fortifying data infrastructure and closely aligns with Veracel’s commitment to bolstering health data security.

At this juncture, Veracel HealthTech sees a golden opportunity to actively align its objectives with the evolving landscape. They plan to leverage cutting-edge health technology to create robust encryption algorithms and state-of-the-art data security measures. Their goal is to collaborate with the government, ensuring the establishment of a secure and trustworthy data bank. What is their ultimate objective? To set groundbreaking industry standards for healthcare data security while fully complying with existing legislation.

Veracel envisions AI-driven tools capable of real-time analysis of extensive health data. They aim to pioneer early epidemic identification and deliver invaluable health insights. This innovation promises to enhance the agency’s capabilities and facilitate quicker, more precise responses to emerging health crises.

The unveiling of its “Vision to Action” agenda for 2023–2027 by the NCDC has sparked exhilaration not only within Veracel but across the spectrum of health data security startups. These startups deeply connect with the strategy’s focus on digital transformation and advanced public health informatics. They foresee a collaborative synergy that could potentially revolutionize disease surveillance and response mechanisms. Recognizing an opportune moment to seamlessly integrate their AI-driven solutions with the NCDC’s health security initiatives, these startups anticipate a transformative partnership on the horizon.

This strategic shift emphasizes advancing public health through a robust digital transformation agenda. It signifies a paradigmatic transition towards using technology to optimize data gathering, processing, and sharing. This evolution promises to significantly enhance the precision and efficacy of anti-microbial resistance strategies, disease surveillance, and response systems. Prioritizing high-quality, interdisciplinary public health informatics enables the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and predictive analytics. This promises expedited diagnoses, swift actions, and improved decision-making in addressing health risks and issues in Nigeria.

Furthermore, this strategic shift involves leveraging high-quality public health informatics, emphasizing the significance of comprehensive data collection, management, and utilization. This concerted effort demonstrates a dedicated attempt to use data-driven insights for shaping policies, allocating resources, and implementing targeted interventions. Strengthening the NCDC’s capacity to identify trends, predict outbreaks, and proactively mitigate health risks relies on ensuring comprehensive and reliable data availability.

The strategic pivot towards strengthening subnational health security through collaborations with state and local governments embodies a broader, more inclusive approach to public health. This approach aims to bridge existing gaps in health infrastructure, enhance coordination, and foster community engagement, nurturing a more resilient and responsive healthcare system across all levels. The establishment of the Subnational Support Department highlights the pivotal role local authorities play in safeguarding public health.

Implementing this strategy promises a transformative impact on public health in Nigeria. It heralds a shift towards a more technologically advanced, data-driven, and inclusive approach to combating diseases. The NCDC aims to fortify Nigeria’s public health landscape by leveraging innovative technologies, reinforcing data infrastructure, and fostering collaborative alliances, enhancing adaptability and resilience against emerging health challenges.

The Senate’s decision to institute a data bank not only opens doors for startups like Veracel but also solidifies the symbiotic relationship between cutting-edge technological solutions and the NCDC’s vision for proactive and robust health security infrastructure.

During the recently concluded 2023 Anti-microbial Awareness Week, the collaboration between Veracel and other HealthTech startups emphasizes their pivotal role, not just as indispensable partners in Nigeria’s quest for a safer and healthier nation but also as significant entrepreneurs. This epitomizes the profound impact that effective creativity, collaboration, and shared goals can wield in shaping Nigeria’s future healthcare security.