As part of efforts to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across the country, the Federal Government has unveiled an automated National Standing Orders (NSOs) mobile application, designed to empower Community Health Practitioners (CHPs) with real-time decision support and standardised care protocols.

The mobile platform, developed by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) with support from the Health Information System Agency (HISA), aims to enhance the quality and consistency of care at the grassroots level.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to using technology to drive healthcare reform and support universal health coverage.

He explained that the National Standing Orders (NSOs) remain one of Nigeria’s most strategic health policy instruments, serving as the legal and professional framework that enables CHPs to deliver standardised clinical interventions nationwide.

“By automating the NSOs into a mobile, interactive digital platform, CHPRBN has elevated this tool from a static document into a real-time decision support system,” Salako said. “The unveiling represents how innovation, regulation, and collaboration can converge to transform lives and communities. This is a celebration of vision, excellence, and the pursuit of a stronger, more equitable primary healthcare system for our nation.”

According to him, the innovation will enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment timeliness, and data traceability, while also facilitating continuous professional learning and compliance monitoring. It will be especially impactful in hard-to-reach communities where CHPs serve as the first point of care.

Salako described the app as a “bold and forward-thinking innovation” that aligns with the African Union’s 2017 resolution to prioritise the training and integration of community health workers into national systems.

“For us in Nigeria, this is an important instrument in ensuring that no one is left behind on the journey toward health equity,” he said. “The CHPRBN Mobile NSO Application is more than a regulatory tool; it is a policy instrument for service delivery optimisation, a symbol of inter-agency synergy, and a digital bridge connecting national health priorities to community-level impact.”

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation in the health sector, describing digital health innovations as “a veritable pathway to secure the present and ring-fence our system for the future.”

Salako commended the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CHPRBN, Dr Bashir Idris, for leading the board’s digital transition from paper-based systems to computer-based examinations, digital indexing, and automated professional development.

“Your journey from pen and paper to digital operations is admirable,” he said. “This milestone demonstrates institutional commitment to excellence and innovation.”

He also thanked HISA for providing technical and policy support, describing the partnership as “a commendable example of collaboration that strengthens the health system.”

Salako announced that the mobile app would be free for all registered CHPs but noted that its use would become mandatory within 24 months.  “We will allow a window of not more than two years for training and adaptation,” he said. “By 2027, all community health practitioners are expected to have transited from analogue to digital standing orders.”

The minister urged CHPs to embrace the new tool with professionalism and diligence. “Transforming systems is not just about technology but about people who are committed and knowledgeable,” he said. “It is your integrity and commitment that will determine the ultimate success of this initiative.”