The Federal Government has taken another decisive step towards strengthening primary health care delivery with the introduction of the Automated National Standing Orders (NSO) mobile application, a digital tool designed to empower community health professionals (CHPs) across Nigeria with real-time decision support and standardized care protocols.
Speaking at the official launch of the application in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the innovation as “a celebration of vision, excellence and the steadfast pursuit of a stronger, more efficient and equitable primary health care system for our dear nation.”
The mobile platform, developed by the Community Health Practitioners Registration Board of Nigeria (CHPRBN) with the support of the Health Information System Agency (HISA), marks a major milestone in the digitization efforts of Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Salako said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that the President’s leadership as “the African Union champion in Human Resources for Health and the Partnership for Community Health Delivery, in short, the number one community health professional in Africa” was driving reforms that put technology at the center of service delivery.
“Digitalization offers the opportunity to equip our health professionals with the tools and skills for quality evidence-based care and to strengthen primary health care as a cornerstone of our universal health coverage agenda,” said the Minister.
“Today’s presentation therefore represents a tangible movement to demonstrate that innovation, regulation and collaboration can converge to transform lives and communities,” he added.
The Minister described the National Regulations (NSO) as one of Nigeria’s most strategic health policy instruments, serving as a legal and professional framework that enables community health professionals to deliver standardized and effective clinical interventions.
“By automating NSOs on a mobile, interactive digital platform, CHPRBN has elevated this tool from a static document to a real-time decision support system.
“This innovation will improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment timeliness, improve data traceability and accountability through audit trails, facilitate ongoing professional learning and compliance monitoring, and ultimately save lives, especially in hard-to-reach communities where CHPs serve as the first point of care,” he said.
Salako hailed the development as a “bold and forward-thinking innovation” that supports the 2017 African Union resolution to prioritize the training, recruitment and integration of community health workers into national systems.
“For us in Nigeria, this is an important instrument to ensure that no one is left behind on the path to health equity,” he said.
“The CHPRBN Mobile NSO application is more than a regulatory tool; it is a policy instrument for optimizing service delivery, a symbol of interagency synergy, and a digital bridge connecting national health priorities with community-level impact.”
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital transformation within the health sector and noted that “innovations in digital health are a true path to secure the present and protect our system for the future.”
Salako praised Dr Bashir Idris, Registrar and CEO of CHPRBN, for leading the board’s ongoing digital transformation, from paper-based systems to computer-based examinations, digital indexing and automated professional development.
“Their journey over the last few years from pen and paper to digital operations is admirable,” he said. “This milestone demonstrates the institutional commitment to excellence and innovation.”
The Minister also expressed his gratitude to HISA for its “technical support, policy alignment and collaboration, a commendable example of working together to deliver innovations that strengthen the health system.”
Salako announced that the mobile application would be free for all registered CHPs, but emphasized that its use will be mandatory within 24 months.
“We will give a period of no more than 24 months to carry out tests and for professionals to train and master the use of the application,” he said.
“By 2027, all cogeneration plants are expected to have transitioned from analogue to digital standing orders.”
He concluded by calling on community health professionals across the country to maintain professionalism and commitment in adopting the new tool.
“System transformation is not just about technology, but about people who are committed and have the knowledge to use it properly,” he said.
“It is your diligence, professionalism and integrity that will determine the ultimate success of this initiative.”
Declaring the official launch of the app, Salako said: “It is a great honor for me to present the CHPRBN Automated National Standing Order Mobile App, a milestone in digital healthcare and a proud testament to our nation’s commitment to innovation and excellence in primary healthcare.”
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