In Borno State, healthcare reform is no longer being measured only in promises or policy documents, but in data points, digital dashboards, and the steady disappearance of paper files. From patient registration to laboratory diagnostics, a growing number of public health facilities are now operating with Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), signalling a shift toward a more accountable and data-driven healthcare system.
The scale of that shift became evident during a recent high-level assessment of five digitally enabled facilities in Maiduguri. Moving quietly through wards, pharmacies, laboratories, and administrative units, those overseeing the state’s health reforms took stock of how digital systems are functioning in real time. The focus was not ceremonial as operations were scrutinised, drug supply chains were checked for quality and consistency, renovated infrastructure was examined, and frontline staff were observed as they worked within the new digital framework.
Early findings suggest that the investment is beginning to yield measurable gains. Digitised records are reducing duplication, shortening waiting times, and improving continuity of care across departments. In laboratories, EMRs are supporting more accurate diagnostics, while referral processes are becoming easier to track and coordinate. At a system level, the technology is strengthening disease surveillance and enabling faster access to reliable health data, critical in a region where timely response can save lives.
These changes are part of a broader public investment strategy aimed at delivering better healthcare outcomes for a fast-growing population. By prioritising digital infrastructure in public hospitals, the state is laying the groundwork for improved efficiency, transparency, and planning. Health data that once took weeks to compile can now be accessed in near real time, supporting better clinical decisions and policy responses.
The reforms extend beyond technology as a major structural shift is underway through the integration of the formal sector into the contributory healthcare scheme. This move, informed by lessons drawn from other states that have implemented similar models, is expanding the scheme’s financial base and improving its long-term sustainability. It also increases the pool of beneficiaries, making healthcare coverage more inclusive and predictable.
Across the five facilities assessed, the improvements were visible not only in patient-facing services but also in the supply and management of drugs and medical consumables. Strengthening this backbone of the healthcare system is critical, as consistent access to quality medicines remains one of the strongest indicators of effective service delivery.
Within the Borno State Contributory Health Care Management (BOSCHMA), the agency driving the programme, confidence is growing that the EMR platform will deliver long-term value. Beyond easing the workload of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, the system enables remote monitoring of facility performance and standardises data collection at the point of care. For researchers and planners, it opens up access to structured health data, supported by safeguards for confidentiality and accountability.
Utilisation figures are already pointing in a positive direction as more than 60 per cent of enrolled beneficiaries have accessed healthcare services under the scheme, an early indicator of trust and functionality. Enrollment has also become easier, with digital self-registration allowing residents to sign up directly online, reducing administrative barriers and delays.
Taken together, these developments reflect a healthcare system moving steadily from manual processes to measurable outcomes.
As digital coverage expands to more primary healthcare centres and enrollment continues to grow, Borno’s health reforms are positioning data not just as a tool for record-keeping, but as a foundation for saving lives and delivering quality care at scale.
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