Why millions still lack access to life-saving medical tests

The World Health Expo (WHX) conference in Lagos highlighted a critical gap in Nigeria’s healthcare system: millions of citizens still cannot afford basic medical tests, despite global advancements in AI diagnostics and genomic technology. Over 8,000 healthcare professionals and 500 exhibitors from 40 countries attended the event, showcasing innovations like AI-powered diagnostics and personalized treatment. Yet discussions repeatedly returned to a fundamental issue—how Nigerians can benefit from these technologies when they lack access to even basic healthcare services. Kenneth Okolie, CEO of SYNLAB Nigeria, identified poor healthcare financing as the primary barrier. He noted that most Nigerians prioritize immediate needs like food and rent over healthcare, forcing them to delay tests until illnesses become severe. This out-of-pocket payment model not only increases treatment costs but also reduces the chances of early detection for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Professor Oluyemi Akinloye, director of the Centre for Genomics of Non-Communicable Diseases and Personalised Healthcare at the University of Lagos, confirmed that diagnostic medicine has advanced significantly, with AI, machine learning, and automation improving accuracy and personalization. However, he warned that innovation alone cannot solve accessibility issues, stressing the need for collaboration between government, industries, universities, and research institutes to make these advancements available to ordinary Nigerians. Nigeria’s low health insurance coverage exacerbates the problem, as most citizens rely on direct payments for healthcare. Experts argue that this model discourages timely medical intervention and places undue pressure on already strained healthcare facilities. Without systemic investment and policy reforms, millions will continue to miss out on life-saving diagnostics and treatments, worsening the burden of preventable diseases.