Obasanjo on healthcare in Nigeria laments preventable deaths and urges adoption of Care365 innovation to improve access for rural communities

Obasanjo on healthcare in Nigeria has sparked a national conversation after the former president decried the poor state of medical access, describing the loss of lives to preventable conditions as both unacceptable and avoidable.

Also read: Obasanjo: Nigeria’s leaders must continue working until goals are achieved

Speaking at the unveiling of the Care365 Health Hub in Abuja, chaired by former Head of State Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, Obasanjo lamented that many Nigerians still trek long distances for basic care, while some die because they cannot afford transportation to health facilities.

“In the age of artificial intelligence and space tourism, it is no longer acceptable that a Nigerian child should die of malaria because her mother couldn’t reach a clinic,” he said.

The Care365 hub, conceived in the United States and now introduced in Nigeria, aims to transform access through smart kiosks capable of checking blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI, and other vital signs instantly.

Obasanjo stressed that the innovation is not just technological but a “game-changer” that must be integrated into rural healthcare and emergency systems nationwide.

“Technology should promote inclusion and make health services accessible to all,” he noted.

Health Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate hailed the initiative as a “practical, innovative solution” with the potential to create thousands of jobs and digitally transform the nation’s healthcare system.

Also present, Gen Abubakar warned that while Care365 provides answers, sustained government and community support is essential to make the solution effective.

Ngozi Odumuko, CEO and founder of Care365, emphasized that the hub is designed to ensure affordability, accessibility, and quality of care for every Nigerian, modeled after systems in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Also read: Nigeria Public Health Laws Under Review to Boost Data Sharing

With Obasanjo’s call to action, stakeholders are urged to move beyond promises and ensure health care becomes a true right for every citizen.