Experts Seek Reforms In Healthcare Sector, Urge Journalists To Embrace AI Responsibly

By LOVETH-AZODO CHIJIOKE

Stakeholders have called for urgent reforms to address persistent challenges undermining Nigeria’s healthcare system, warning that rising economic hardship is forcing more Nigerians to rely on self-medication due to the high cost and limited access to quality healthcare services.

The call was made during a media training organised by Leadway Assurance for members of the Nigerian Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE) in Lagos, where industry experts also urged journalists to harness artificial intelligence (AI) responsibly to improve productivity without compromising professional ethics.

Speaking at the event, Team Lead, Commercial Business at Leadway Health, Mr. Oluwafemi Awoleye, identified several structural challenges affecting healthcare delivery, including inadequate funding, shortage of healthcare professionals, poor investment in health infrastructure and technology, delayed reimbursement to hospitals, and disruptions in pharmaceutical supply chains.

He also cited the growing migration of healthcare workers and the difficulty many Nigerians face in accessing doctors and quality medical services as factors worsening healthcare outcomes across the country.

According to Awoleye, the prevailing economic situation has significantly reduced disposable income, leaving many citizens with little option but to self-medicate rather than seek professional medical care.

He warned that unless these challenges are addressed, they could have far-reaching implications for national productivity and economic growth, stressing that a healthy workforce remains critical to sustainable development.

Awoleye urged journalists to use their platforms to draw attention to the shortcomings within the healthcare system and hold relevant authorities accountable for implementing reforms.

“The media can inquire about the level of compliance on the ground. Are employers in every state actually enrolling staff or treating it as paperwork? Where does the money go? How are capitation and fee-for-service increases changing provider behaviour and quality?” he said.

He added that responsible journalism has the capacity to shape public discourse, influence policy decisions, expose systemic weaknesses and highlight practical solutions capable of improving healthcare delivery.

Speaking separately on the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, Group Chief Executive Officer of Billsbox Services Limited, Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, advised media professionals to adopt AI as a productivity tool while maintaining editorial integrity and professional judgment.

Delivering a presentation titled, “Publishing in an Era of Artificial Intelligence,” Ashibogwu described AI as a transformative technology that should complement, rather than replace, journalism.

According to him, journalists who effectively integrate AI into their work will have a competitive advantage over those who ignore the technology.

“Artificial Intelligence will not replace journalists, but journalists who use Artificial Intelligence will replace those who don’t,” he said.

While acknowledging AI’s potential to support investigations, improve efficiency and streamline newsroom operations, he warned against overreliance on the technology without proper verification.

Ashibogwu identified hallucinations, fabricated quotations, deepfakes, plagiarism, copyright infringement, privacy violations and misinformation as some of the major risks associated with irresponsible use of AI.

He therefore urged media organisations to develop clear AI policies, train newsroom staff on ethical AI usage, establish robust verification procedures and ensure compliance with copyright regulations.

“The future belongs neither to traditional journalism nor to artificial intelligence alone. It belongs to journalists who combine human wisdom with machine intelligence,” he added.