The Health Equity Conference (HEC) 2026, convened by OneBarrow International Limited, has concluded its two-day engagement in Ab...
The Health Equity Conference (HEC) 2026, convened by OneBarrow International Limited, has concluded its two-day engagement in Abuja with a call for improved healthcare coordination to promote equitable access to quality healthcare services across Nigeria.
The conference brought together representatives of healthcare regulatory institutions, professional bodies, healthcare service providers, government, the private sector and other stakeholders to examine how better coordination among healthcare institutions and professionals could improve patient experiences and strengthen healthcare delivery.
Held under the theme, “Care Coordination as the Core Engine of Health Equity,” the conference adopted a privately led policy-lab approach to examine the factors preventing Nigerian patients from experiencing a coordinated healthcare journey, regardless of the institution, profession, financing arrangement or level of care involved.
Moving beyond conventional presentations, participants examined the practical relationships between healthcare policies, professional responsibilities, institutional processes, financing arrangements, technology and patients’ experiences.
A central feature of the conference was the use of a fictional patient, Amina, whose healthcare journey provided a common framework for discussions across five policy labs. Participants assessed the different stages of her journey, from community access and initial assessment to primary healthcare, diagnosis, clinical treatment, medicines, referrals, hospital care, discharge and follow-up.
The exercise was designed to identify gaps that interrupt continuity of care and explore practical measures to address them, while encouraging stakeholders to assess the healthcare system from the perspective of the patient.
The five policy labs focused on governance and regulatory frameworks; financing and sustainability; service delivery and care coordination; workforce, data and technology; and community engagement and health equity. Findings from the first four labs were consolidated and further examined alongside community-focused perspectives during the fifth lab.
Key issues identified included weaknesses in first-contact assessment and patient prioritisation, diagnostic quality assurance, access to affordable medicines, referral communication, workforce availability and retention, discharge planning, rehabilitation and continuing care.
Other concerns included limited access to healthcare in rural communities, financing challenges, accountability and transparency in patient charges, health-information sharing, data interoperability and privacy, implementation of healthcare protocols, regulatory oversight and patient complaints management.
The discussions highlighted how a breakdown in one part of the healthcare system could affect a patient's ability to receive treatment elsewhere. For instance, a referral may be medically appropriate but remain incomplete because of financial constraints, transportation difficulties, inadequate communication, unavailable healthcare personnel or missing patient information.
Following its deliberations, the conference consolidated its findings into ten recommendation areas and developed a proposed Joint Communiqué Implementation Matrix to link identified gaps with potential corrective measures, relevant institutional responsibilities and indicators for assessing progress.
The proposed recommendations cover healthcare coordination, diagnostic quality, referral systems, workforce development, financing accountability, health-information exchange, community access and patient follow-up.
According to the conference organisers, the recommendations are proposals arising from the technical discussions and are intended for review and consideration by relevant institutions within their respective mandates.
As part of the next steps, OneBarrow International Limited plans to engage the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, relevant healthcare regulatory councils and boards, professional organisations, healthcare institutions and other stakeholders to share the consolidated findings and proposed recommendations.
The planned engagements are expected to provide opportunities to examine existing policies and programmes, identify areas where improved coordination could be beneficial and explore voluntary implementation priorities.
The next phase will also consider capacity and capability development opportunities, including professional training, institutional process improvement, workforce readiness, health-information management and practical care-coordination initiatives. Participation and implementation arrangements will be determined through subsequent consultations and appropriate institutional processes.
The conference has also called on communities, healthcare professionals, facilities, regulatory institutions, businesses, civil society organisations, development partners, academic institutions and other stakeholders nationwide to contribute to efforts to improve healthcare coordination and health equity.
Stakeholders are encouraged to identify healthcare access gaps in their communities, improve referral and follow-up processes, support underserved populations, strengthen professional skills, promote appropriate digital healthcare solutions, develop community health education initiatives and support healthcare outreach through corporate social responsibility.
Other areas for participation include improving patient feedback mechanisms, service accountability and access to care.
Looking ahead, OneBarrow International Limited is proposing the HEC 2027 Health Equity Awards & Gala as a separate initiative intended to recognise individuals, communities, institutions and organisations making meaningful contributions to healthcare coordination and health equity.
The proposed recognition platform is distinct from the recommendations and implementation arrangements outlined in the HEC 2026 Joint Communiqué and does not constitute an institutional commitment arising from the conference.
The organisers said the proposed awards would encourage stakeholders to demonstrate practical improvements through documented contributions, measurable outcomes, collaborative initiatives and evidence of better patient experiences.
Community groups, healthcare providers, professional associations, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders are encouraged to document their activities, partnerships, innovations and service improvements for possible consideration when the awards programme is formally announced.
The proposed Awards & Gala is expected to complement the HEC 2027 implementation-accountability review by providing opportunities to share lessons, showcase progress and recognise contributions aligned with the conference's guiding principle, “From Policy to Impact.”
Award categories, nomination procedures, eligibility requirements and assessment criteria will be announced through the HEC platform as preparations progress. Participation in community initiatives or conference activities will not automatically qualify an individual or organisation for an award.
The organisers noted that HEC 2025 established a platform for stakeholder engagement on health equity, while HEC 2026 advanced the process through structured policy-lab discussions, consolidated findings and proposed recommendations. HEC 2027 is envisaged as an opportunity to assess developments, examine persistent challenges and recognise meaningful contributions through the proposed awards programme.
The conference emphasised that progress should be measured not merely by the number of policies developed, institutions represented or conferences convened, but by whether patients experience better access to healthcare, greater continuity of treatment and more coordinated services.
It therefore urged stakeholders across Nigeria to identify gaps, contribute to solutions, document their impact and inspire others to participate in improving healthcare delivery.
“One Patient. One Journey. Health Equity for All.”
About the Health Equity Conference
The Health Equity Conference (HEC) is a privately led, multi-stakeholder platform convened by OneBarrow International Limited to advance dialogue, technical analysis and collaboration on healthcare coordination and health equity in Nigeria.
Through policy-lab engagements, institutional consultations, capacity and capability development opportunities, and proposed implementation-review and recognition initiatives, the platform seeks to encourage practical, evidence-informed improvements in healthcare delivery.
Convened by: OneBarrow International Limited
Conference: Health Equity Conference 2026
Theme: Care Coordination as the Core Engine of Health Equity
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
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