The National Health Information System of Nigeria is currently underdeveloped and unable to deliver the crucially important high-quality health data essential for decision-making. This shortcoming is largely caused by a lack of data analytics and coordination capabilities, as well as the fragmented and disjointed manner in which data systems are being developed throughout the nation, among many other structural and governance impediments.
There are numerous ways that data analytics might enhance medical treatment. These include things like strengthening decision support systems, regular monitoring of health outcomes, and providing information for policy decisions. More significantly, policymakers and other stakeholders in the health sector will be able to employ new tools that can offer insightful information about the general public’s health status, the effectiveness of service delivery, and the financial implications.
In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and other stakeholders, the eHealth for everyone foundation has offered assistance in health data analytics to enhance decision-making procedures in the nation during the past few years. By increasing the institutional capacity of the departments and agencies tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the Nigerian health information system, the main goal of this study is to improve health data analytics in the Nigerian health sector. This is accomplished through the development of dashboards, assistance with data analytics, technical advice, research, staff mentoring, and capacity building for the FMoH and other cooperating organisations. The Multi-Source Data Analytics and Triangulation (MSDAT) platform, which is a complete integrated platform for comparative analysis of the available health datasets in Nigeria, was created by the eHealth for everyone foundation in partnership with the FMoH. The platform offers a single transparent view of numerous datasets and indicators from across various health system regions in an effort to increase the availability and accessibility of health data.
In order to expand on this programme, eHealth for Everyone keeps using its human capital development strategy, in which recent graduates and students are given internship opportunities to help Nigeria increase its capacity for health data analytics. This strategy positions eHealth for everyone as a reliable strategic anchor partner for numerous health sector stakeholders. The Health Data Analytics (HDA) fellowship for postgraduate students is a new offering from eHealth for Everyone, in addition to the regular internships for students and recent graduates. The purpose of this fellowship is to develop HDA capacity at higher academic and research levels, with a focus on the growth of the MSDAT and associated fields.
Benefits
- Up to ₦1,000,000.00 (per fellow) for postgraduate research (including research expenses e.g. equipment, data collection etc)
- Capacity building in research and health data analytics
- Possible job opportunities with eHealth4everyone on completion of the fellowship
- Access to a network of individuals with shared interests
- Mentorship and support from the administering body. This would translate into the provision of reviews and guidance during the course of their research.
- Provision of datasets on request.
Please note: Funds are to be used for the research work ONLY. Funds would possibly cover textbooks, equipment, publications, and travels (for data collection activities etc). Costs that are indirectly related to the research would need to be approved by the HDA fellowship committee.
Eligibilities
- Must hold an acceptable form of Identification (i.e. an International passport; Drivers’ licence; Voters’ Card, National Identity Number (NIN) card)
- Must be a postgraduate student of any accredited University with a valid means of identification
- Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree of at least a 3.5/5.0 CGPA (Second class upper honours) for Master’s students, and at least a Merit or its equivalent in Master’s, for PhD students.
- Research goals should be targeted towards improving the Nigerian health system around the following areas:
- Data Management
- Visual Analytics
- Data Mining
- Data Integration
- Health outcomes
- Health financing
- Health Workforce
- Population and demographics
- Health facility service availability and readiness
- Health Impact
- Advanced analytics
- Open data advocacy
- Big Data for health
- Data demand and use
- Statistical modelling of health data
- Health Information System interoperability
- Artificial Intelligence
Application Process
- Carefully complete each section of the HDA fellowship forms and attach the required documents. These include:
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- Official transcripts from Academic Institution,
- Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
- Admission letters,
- Statement of purpose (maximum of 500 words),
- Research proposal/summary including timelines for execution,
- Letter of recommendation from Supervisor, Head of Department or Dean;
- A previously published paper, if available. This would be an added advantage.
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- A 2-minute video of the applicant explaining their research proposal and motivation, is required.
- The HDA fellowship committee will carefully review each proposal and make a final decision. If successful, applicants would be notified (within 8 weeks after the application deadline) that they have been selected to receive the research grant.
- Successful applicants must officially “accept” the offer via an email within a week.
In addition, results from all HDA funded research will be completely open for use by the eHealth for Everyone Foundation and others. There will be no copyrighting of research.
Application Deadline: August 30, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
