Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has stated that it is no longer acceptable that, in the age of artificial intelligence and space tourism, a Nigerian child should die of malaria because the mother could not afford to travel to the nearest health facility.
He emphasised the need to leverage technology and innovation to make health services accessible to all Nigerians.
Speaking at the Care365 Health Hub Product launch yesterday in Abuja, Obasanjo stated that it is unacceptable that young people in remote communities go blind untreated because there is no eye clinic for hundreds of miles, emphasising that this is not just a failure of infrastructure but also a failure of empathy and leadership at all levels.
He said, “When I reflect on the Nigeria we envisioned at independence, and even more so during my years of service in government, health care was never meant to be a luxury for the privileged or the urban elite. It was to be a fundamental right, accessible 365 days a year to the child in Damaturu, the mother in Yenogoa, the farmer in Ogbomosho, and the teacher in Birnin Kebbi. This was what was envisaged for Nigeria, yet we know the truth. Millions of Nigerians still walk miles to reach a health post. Still, many die from preventable situations and conditions, while many live in places where the nearest doctor is hours away. Care 365 is daring to change the story and the situation”.
Obasanjo argued that technology should be used for inclusion, making health services available and accessible to all, regardless of their geographical location or social status.
He described Care365 Hub as not just a technological solution but also a social justice tool, a game changer, health security for all, and a bold declaration that no matter who you are, where you live, or how much you earn, you deserve care, and you will need care, not just once in a while, not only when you can afford it, but every single day.
“What struck me most is its simplicity, brilliance, and practicality. It is a smart kiosk that functions as a miniature hospital, equipped with diagnostic tools, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine connectivity — a system that allows patients from remote and rural areas to consult with professional, licensed doctors, receive diagnoses, and receive treatments. Its affordable subscription model can be accessed even by a roadside trader or mechanic, and trained community health workers are empowered to provide first-line care in underserved areas.
Obasanjo emphasised the need to ensure that the innovative healthcare solution is made available and affordable, adding that true success will be measured not by apps downloaded but by lives saved, dignity restored, and the extent to which Nigerian life expectancy is improved.
He urged the federal government to fully integrate Care365 into the primary healthcare and emergency systems and called on state governments to domesticate the technology to bridge access gaps in healthcare delivery, especially in rural communities.
Also speaking, the former Head of State and Chairman of Care365 Health Hub, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, deplored the poor state of health infrastructure in the country but added that a lot has been done to improve healthcare delivery in the country under the current Minister, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
He said, “I I have travelled across Nigeria — from the far North to the coastal South, from busy cities to the quiet rural areas. I have seen firsthand the challenge of poor healthcare access. During my time as the Head of State, I also travel frequently within the country, and one of the things that really catches my eye is our medical care. As the chairman of this event has mentioned, there is no facility nationwide to properly assess medical care. So this Care365 Health Hub, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the state governments, will provide an answer to this problem”.
Abubakar stated that technology, when used purposefully, can save lives and added that innovation must go hand-in-hand with compassion.
He observed that the Care365 Health Hub is a complete ecosystem that combines telemedicine, preventive health education, screening tools, mental health counselling, and AI-driven diagnostics, all accessible through mobile apps and a solar-powered community.
In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan stated that the digital revolution is the way forward in the health sector and urged young Nigerians who are skilled with technology to develop various digital products that will help advance the country instead of engaging in activities that tarnish the nation’s image.
He noted that the digital revolution has transformed the health, agriculture, and virtually every sector, warning that if Nigeria is not properly focused, it will be left behind.
The CEO and Founder of Care365 Health Hub, Ngozi Joseph Odumuko, said that the initiative is a transformative healthcare innovation conceived in the United States and now launched in Nigeria.
He said, “The reason for this vision is to make healthcare accessible and affordable. Quality healthcare and available healthcare are valuable to the citizens of Nigeria. We are here to envision and support federal agencies and businesses in providing adequate care for every citizen, because care for citizens matters a great deal. The Care365 Health Hub is expected to significantly transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria, bridging gaps in access, affordability, and quality care”.
The Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Shettima, stated that the launch of the Health Hub is a demonstration that Nigeria is ready to move forward and rewrite the narrative with the help of technology.
Shettima, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs Uju Abuja, noted that the initiative is not just for the urban elites but was designed to cater for the rural population and fast-track the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
While unveiling the Health Hub, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, noted that the innovation is coming at a time when technology is reshaping how we live, work and access services.
He noted that the world has witnessed advancements in healthcare through the deployment of digital technology, adding that it represents a very practical, innovative solution to one of our most persistent challenges: ensuring that quality health services are available and affordable to all Nigerians.
