Vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, has emphasized the importance of localized, evidence-based solutions in tackling Nigeria’s healthcare challenges.
Speaking on the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), Leadership Series podcast, hosted by Dr. Anne Adah-Ogoh, Ogunsola criticized the reliance on health policies informed by data from high-income countries, which often fail to address the unique needs of low-resource settings like Nigeria.
“A lot of the data guiding health policies comes from high-income countries, but these don’t reflect our realities. We need to invest in local research that considers our specific challenges and provides solutions that work for us,“ she said.
Ogunsola, a leading figure in microbiology, called for stronger collaboration among academia, healthcare institutions, and the private sector to develop sustainable systems focused on prevention and wellness. She cited her experience as chair of the WHO Guidelines Committee for Ebola as an example of the importance of research-driven policies tailored to local contexts.
Beyond research, she highlighted the need for increased private sector involvement to complement government efforts in addressing systemic issues such as inadequate funding, infrastructure gaps, and brain drain. She called for investments in health insurance, local manufacturing, and equitable healthcare delivery models to build a resilient healthcare system.
“Collaboration between the public and private sectors during the Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks showed us what is possible. We need to take those lessons further by building systems that serve everyone, not just a privileged few,“ she noted.
Ogunsola also urged Nigerian leaders to prioritize awareness campaigns and enforcement measures to boost health insurance adoption, particularly in states like Lagos, where progress has been made but uptake remains low.
Speaking on gender equality, she encouraged women in leadership to embrace their strengths and challenge societal biases, sharing insights from her own experiences in male-dominated fields.