The launch of the ECH Connecting the Dots: National Blood Service Agency Anchors Innovation and Care at Nigerian Ecosystem Launch Alliance Nigerian Ecosystem, the 87th ecosystem in the Global Health Connector network, marked a watershed moment for digital health and cancer care in Nigeria. But at the heart of this milestone was the pivotal role of the National Blood Service Agency (NBSA), whose leadership and support underscored the importance of institutional strength in driving healthcare innovation.
Held on July 17, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the event was convened by the Cancer Consciousness Initiative (CCI) in collaboration with the National Institute for Cancer Research and Training (NICRAT) and the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS). It drew stakeholders from healthcare, technology, health insurance, the banking sector, cancer survivors, and policymakers—all converging to explore solutions in digital health, cancer research, and sustainable healthcare financing.
Central to the gathering was the recognition of Prof. Saleh Yuguda, Director General of NBSA, whose advisory role, moral support, and strategic guidance were credited as instrumental in bringing the Nigerian Ecosystem to fruition. Organisers described NBSA’s involvement as symbolic of the agency’s expanding influence in shaping Nigeria’s healthcare future beyond blood services—into broader innovations that connect care, research, and technology.
“The Nigerian Ecosystem is about collaboration, innovation, and care,” said Dr. Hannatu Ayuba Usman, Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, CEO of CCI and TeleOncology Hub, and convener of the event. “With the support of partners like the National Blood Service Agency, we are optimistic about creating progressive collaborations across our 87-plus ecosystems worldwide. Together, we will advance digital health solutions, research, and capacity-building for professionals, ultimately reshaping cancer care in Nigeria.”
The event also featured a pitching session where young innovators showcased emerging ideas in digital health and cancer care—demonstrating the role of youth-driven creativity in building the next chapter of healthcare.
For NBSA, its central presence at the launch reinforces its evolving mandate: not just as the custodian of safe blood transfusion, but as a driver of wider healthcare innovations that connect Nigeria to global networks of progress.
As the Nigerian Ecosystem takes root, the emphasis will be on knowledge exchange, research partnerships, and digital transformation, with NBSA standing as a strategic anchor in the pursuit of better outcomes for patients and communities across the country.
