Health Informatics Governance and Care Continuity in Resource- Constrained Health Systems: Lessons from Nigeria
Abstract
Strengthening health information governance is central to improving continuity of care in resource?constrained health systems. In Nigeria, fragmented health records, limited interoperability, and uneven adoption of digital health tools continue to undermine coordinated service delivery and informed clinical decision?making. Continuity of care, defined as the extent to which discrete health encounters are experienced as coherent and aligned with patient needs, depends on the availability, quality, and secure exchange of clinical information across providers. Although eHealth innovations offer opportunities to enhance data availability, decision support, and patient engagement, their impact in low? and middle?income countries has been constrained by infrastructural deficits, weak governance structures, and inconsistent policy implementation. This paper examines the governance challenges shaping health information management in Nigeria and analyzes how these gaps impede care continuity. Drawing on global evidence and comparative insights from the United States, the paper proposes a structured framework - the “Four Ps” of health information governance: Patients, Providers, Processes, and Policies. This framework highlights the interdependent elements required to strengthen data stewardship, interoperability, and system?wide accountability. The paper concludes with actionable policy recommendations aimed at improving data governance, enhancing the reliability of health information systems, and enabling more integrated, patient?centered care in resource?constrained settings.
Keywords
Care Continuity; Health Information Management; Exchange; Information and Communication Technology
References
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