In Lagos, a megacity of over 20 million people, millions still struggle to access basic healthcare. An estimated 60% of the population relies on informal healthcare providers due to barriers like high costs, long distances, and overcrowded hospitals. But what if a doctor was just a phone call away? What if getting medical advice didn’t mean taking a day off work or traveling miles to the nearest clinic?
That’s exactly what the Lagos State Telehealth Project led by LASHMA, funded by the Gates Foundation, and implemented by the SCIDaR-VillageReach consortium set out to achieve.
Through DigiFirst, the project is breaking barriers with three innovative telehealth models, ensuring healthcare reaches those who need it most:
✅ Toll-Free Hotline – Provides instant access to medical advice, reducing the need for unnecessary hospital visits.
✅ Community-Pharmacy Kiosks – Brings trained professionals closer to residents, offering consultations within their neighborhoods.
✅ Market-Based Kiosks – Ensures traders and informal workers can seek medical help without leaving their businesses.
Aisha is a market trader in Lagos. She used to ignore her persistent headaches, unable to afford the time or money for a hospital visit. But one day, she saw the DigiFirst poster and decided to try the toll-free hotline. In minutes, she was speaking to a healthcare professional who guided her on managing her symptoms and advised her on the next steps. “I never knew seeing a doctor could be this easy,” she says.
While financial barriers remain a challenge, DigiFirst is making healthcare more accessible, one person at a time. With radio campaigns, social media outreach, and community influencers spreading the word, enrollment continues to grow, ensuring that even the most vulnerable can get the care they deserve.
