EchAlliance, a global health connector, on Thursday, launched its 87th EchAlliance Ecosystem, and EchAlliance Ecosystem Gathering 2025.
EchAlliance is aimed at driving innovation, collaboration, and transformation in digital health and social care through a unique network of 1,200+ member organization and 86+ international ecosystems.
It actively engages with global bodies such as the European Commission, African Union and United Nations to shape health strategies and policies.
The gathering held in Abuja heralds the Nigerian Health Ecosystem, with the theme: Innovation and Cancer Care, showcased innovations done in the country by different stakeholders with an added objective of unlocking innovative funding for cancer care.
The Convener, Dr. Ayuba Hanatu Usman said amongst other things, the intention of the launch is to answer questions from cancer survivors by scientists, researchers and bank insurance companies.
She also revealed that the motive of EchAlliance which has 36 ecosystems is to drive collaborations, progressive developments for different sectors and different thematic areas that EchAlliance covers.
According to the Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, there’s skills for health, mental health, personal health, innovation, cancer A and E, artificial intelligence and internet medicine.
“There are so many areas that we can get collaborations that will drive innovation and cancer care”, she said at the launch.
Different panel sessions were also discussed on innovation and cancer care, what has been done and how it can be improved, the present and future areas that can be looked at for more progress and collaboration for cancer patients and survivors.
The launch of the 87th EchAlliance looked at ways of unlocking innovative funding for the cancer patients and survivors.
“We have the cancer health fund, but we are looking for other areas, and that’s why they are calling out to financial agencies that will see the human face of cancer and be able to bring out more impactful programs that will support our patients, Dr. Hanatu pointed out, after speaking at a panel session she was part of.
“Our patients are going through a lot. The financial burden is a great deal. We have a lot of barriers, cancer disparities, health inequities our cancer patients and survivors face, and that is why we are taking the opportunity as we are launching this our ecosystem.
“We discuss these issues in the same way with all these different stakeholders and cancer patients. We also have a picking session and digital startups”, she elaborated.
Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu, a Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State, said support and use of technology are what it takes to take care of cancer patients, and help them access quality service support. “This is to ensure that lots of persons have access to cancer cure”, she stated.
The Director General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Training (NICRAT), Dr. Usman Malami Aliyu, in his welcome address, said the launch of the Nigerian ecosystem of the ECHAlliance brings to mind the power of collaboration and innovation in driving progress in the health sector, adding that the different thematic areas are interesting areas for growth and progress, while the President of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Abidemi Omonisi described the launch as a timely and purposeful gathering “where emerging technologies meet locally driven, patient-centred solutions”.
Dr. Adamu Alhassan Umar, the Chairman, Oncology & Cancer Care Committee, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said the European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance) plays a crucial role in advancing partnerships and collaborations that are essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and with its extensive reach across more than 78 countries, engaging over 22,000 experts and impacting over 4 million people globally, ECHAlliance stands as a veritable platform for fostering sustainable health solutions through strategic alliances.
The launch also featured digital startups pitches designed for treatment plans for cancer patients and patient navigation with a proactive electronic medical record.
EchAlliance is dedicated to driving innovation, collaboration, and transformation in digital health and social care through a unique network of 1,200+ member organization and 86+ international ecosystems. It actively engages with global bodies such as the European Commission, African Union and United Nations to shape health strategies and policies.
The ECHAlliance Nigerian Ecosystem will be involved in future gatherings, flagship events, digital health summits and activities in different thematic areas with collaborations and partnerships between the different ecosystems.