FG launches automated app to enhance primary healthcare delivery

By Kunle Sanni –

The Federal Government has unveiled a new digital innovation aimed at strengthening primary healthcare delivery across the country — the Automated National Standing Orders (NSO) Mobile Application for Community Health Practitioners (CHPs).

The launch, held in Abuja on Saturday, was presided over by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, who described the initiative as “a bold step towards a more efficient, accountable, and people-centred health system driven by technology.”

According to Dr. Salako, the app marks a major leap in Nigeria’s ongoing health sector reforms. “This is not just a technology launch; it is a celebration of vision, innovation, and Nigeria’s commitment to equitable healthcare for all citizens,” he said.

Developed by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) with technical support from the Health Information System Agency (HISA), the new app digitises the National Standing Orders — guidelines that authorise community health workers to diagnose and treat common illnesses at the grassroots level.

Dr. Salako noted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the President as “the number one community health practitioner in Africa” in his role as the African Union’s Champion for Human Resources for Health and Community Health Delivery Partnership.

He emphasised that the digital transformation of Standing Orders represents a key part of the government’s strategy to modernise healthcare delivery.
“Digitisation is a critical enabler for health sector reform. By automating the Standing Orders, we are transforming a static manual into a real-time clinical decision support system,” he explained.

The Minister highlighted several benefits of the innovation, including improved diagnostic accuracy, faster treatment, enhanced accountability through digital audit trails, and better service delivery in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Dr. Salako announced that the use of the app will become mandatory for all CHPs by 2027, following a two-year transition and training period. “The application is free for all registered CHPs. We are giving a 24-month window for training and adaptation. By 2027, all CHPs must fully transition from analogue to digital Standing Orders,” he stated.