Digital Transformation of Mental Health Care: A Strategic Framework for Nigeria’s Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajdsai.v2i1.6669Keywords:
Digital Transformation, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, Mental Health Services, Nigeria, Strategic FrameworkAbstract
This mixed-methods study investigated the current status of digital health adoption in Nigeria’s Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospitals, identified barriers and facilitators, and developed a strategic framework for sustainable transformation in tertiary mental health care. Employing a scoping review of 30 sources and semi-structured interviews with 35 healthcare stakeholders, the research synthesized evidence on electronic health records, telemedicine, and mobile health applications, as well as systemic challenges. Findings revealed fragmented adoption, with only 10-23% routine implementation of digital tools in the hospitals, constrained by infrastructural deficits (e.g., unreliable electricity in 61% of cases), low digital literacy (48% untrained workforce), and policy inconsistencies. Facilitators included national initiatives like the Nigeria Digital in Health Initiative, which supported 40% of pilots, and training programmes boosting uptake by 25-35%. Adaptable global models, such as South Africa’s MomConnect, highlighted interoperability for cost reduction. Integrated results informed the Policy, Infrastructure, Technology, and Financing with Leadership, Ethics, and Integration dual-axis model, scoring 4.2/5 in feasibility, with Web human resource systems ranking highest (4.7/5) for administrative efficiency. The framework addressed a “readiness paradox” of robust policies and execution gaps, promoting agile governance and ethical safeguards to mitigate stigma and privacy risks in neuropsychiatric care. A five-year roadmap was developed spanning assessment, scaling, and innovation and envisions 40% efficiency gains, improved clinician well-being, and halving access disparities by 2030 to advance Sustainable Development Goal three in low-resource contexts.
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