Nigerian HealthTech company GoMed Nigeria has launched a digital self care platform at the University of Lagos to help students access sexual and reproductive health information, professional guidance and healthcare products more privately and conveniently.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and the Lagos State Government, with the UNILAG rollout serving as the first phase of the programme.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the platform is designed to tackle some of the barriers that can prevent young people from seeking sexual and reproductive healthcare, including cost, stigma, limited access to trustworthy information and concerns about confidentiality.
Eligible students can obtain free contraceptives and other sexual and reproductive health commodities supplied by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and UNFPA. The service also provides discreet delivery around the university campus and student accommodation.
The platform goes beyond simply delivering healthcare products. Students can use UNFPA’s SoftLife 247 and U Plan services to access reliable reproductive health information and connect with qualified family planning providers.
Registered pharmacists working with GoMed Nigeria are also available to provide confidential consultations, giving students an opportunity to seek professional guidance alongside the digital services.
The model is intended to make healthcare easier to access for students who may otherwise hesitate to visit a facility or discuss sensitive health concerns in person.
For university students, privacy can be particularly important when seeking sexual and reproductive health services. The combination of digital consultations, professional advice and discreet delivery is intended to reduce some of the practical and social barriers associated with accessing care.
Anthony Edeki, chief executive officer of GoMed Nigeria, said the partnership was designed to bring trusted healthcare support closer to students while protecting their privacy.
Muriel Mafico, UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, also stressed the importance of ensuring that young people can obtain reliable information and services to make informed decisions about their health.
The Lagos State Government is supporting the initiative as part of broader efforts to expand youth friendly healthcare services. The programme also seeks to address concerns around unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among young people.
The partners expect improved access to appropriate information and healthcare services to help reduce health related disruptions to students’ education.
The UNILAG deployment will initially provide an opportunity for GoMed Nigeria, UNFPA and other partners to assess how the digital model works within a university community and identify areas for improvement.
If the approach proves effective, the partners could use lessons from the initial rollout to develop the model for other university communities across Lagos State and potentially other parts of Nigeria.
The initiative reflects a growing effort to combine digital technology with existing public healthcare programmes, professional medical support and private sector delivery networks to make healthcare services more accessible to young Nigerians.
