Nasarawa State Launches Digital Health Revolution with New Electronic Records System

 In a major leap toward modernizing its healthcare system, Nasarawa State has officially begun its transition from cumbersome paper-based records to a unified Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. The initiative launched with the handover of 72 Samsung tablets to the State Honourable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, on August 28th, 2025.

The equipment was presented by the Department of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with support from The Global Fund. The presentation, facilitated through the State Ministry’s Director of Health Planning, Research, and Statistics, Dr. Danjuma Baba Oyinaka, marks a critical milestone in the state’s healthcare reform agenda.

For years, Nigeria’s health sector has been hampered by fragmented and inefficient paper-based systems that slow decision-making, weaken disease surveillance, and hinder effective resource allocation. The adoption of the EMR system promises a shift toward a more coordinated, transparent, and data-driven approach.

"This transition is not just about technology; it is about saving lives," said Dr. Gaza Gwamna during the handover ceremony. "With electronic medical records, our health workers will have accurate information at their fingertips, our patients will receive faster and safer care, and our managers will finally have the data needed to make better decisions. Nasarawa State is fully committed to this journey."

The rollout will see 75 tablets distributed to 25 selected health facilities across the state. Each device is pre-loaded with a customized version of OpenMRS software, designed to reduce data fragmentation and significantly improve the quality and speed of health reporting. To ensure the system's success and sustainability, health workers at the facilities will receive comprehensive training on using the software for secure data capture and management.

This initiative is a key part of the broader Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative, which aims to create a National Unified EMR Platform. This platform is intended to strengthen healthcare monitoring, enable the seamless exchange of patient information between facilities, and bolster public health security through enhanced disease surveillance and data-driven research.

The move is more than just a technological upgrade; it is a foundational step toward reshaping healthcare in Nasarawa. By digitizing records, patients can expect smoother and safer experiences, providers can devote less time to paperwork and more to clinical care, and policymakers will, for the first time, have access to reliable, real-time data to guide planning and resource allocation.

As Nigeria advances on its path of digital health transformation, Nasarawa State's proactive adoption of EMR positions it at the forefront of a reform set to create a stronger, more efficient, and more responsive health system for all Nigerians.