House of Reps to fund five-year AI healthcare subscriptions for Nigerians with disabilities

Nigeria to fund five-year AI healthcare subscriptions for persons with disabilities: what providers need to know

House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has committed the National Assembly to cover monthly subscriptions for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) on the AI-enabled Koyo HealthTech programme for the next five years. The initiative, delivered through the Koyo Navigate platform, launches with a pilot of 350 beneficiaries and two months of free access.

Lawmakers also plan to introduce a bill that would require government to permanently assume the cost of these subscriptions for PWDs. The goal is clear: reduce barriers to care, close access gaps, and make essential services reachable for citizens often left behind.

What the plan covers

• Doctor-supervised teleconsultations via Koyo Navigate.
• AI-supported health guidance for triage and decision support.
• Dermatology assessments and other remote checks.
• Accessibility features built for different disability categories (e.g., speech/hearing support).
• Pilot: 350 PWDs, with two months of free AI-enabled care before the five-year subscription coverage begins.

Why this matters for healthcare teams

Access remains uneven. Many PWDs face physical, financial, and communication barriers at the point of care. This programme can extend reach, speed up referrals, and offer timely guidance between clinic visits.

AI-supported workflows can help flag early risks, structure follow-up, and reduce pressure on overstretched clinical teams. For patients with speech or hearing impairments and for those with severe mobility challenges, digital pathways can remove friction that typically delays care.

Policy backdrop and inclusion gaps

Nigeria's Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2018) set a path for accessible public services, but implementation still lags. The State of Disability Inclusion Report 2024 found that 28% of health facilities lack basic accessibility features, leaving many citizens outside the system.

This initiative, supported by TAF Africa, Koyo HealthTech, and the Abbas Tajudeen Resource Centre for People with Disabilities, is a practical step to move access from policy into clinical reality. For broader coordination and standards, see the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities at ncpwd.gov.ng.

How Koyo says it will keep quality and costs in check

• Use of qualified medical doctors for supervision and care decisions.
• AI tools governed to ensure medical information is accurate and current.
• Operational scaling amid doctor shortages while keeping subscription costs low.

Immediate actions for providers and facility leaders

• Identify PWD patients in your catchment area who would benefit from remote consults and follow-up.
• Map where AI-supported triage or remote checks fit in your current care pathways (intake, follow-up, escalation).
• Set clear protocols for clinical oversight, documentation, and escalation to in-person assessment when needed.
• Strengthen accessibility now: entrances, restrooms, signage, communication aids, and staff who can assist patients with sensory, cognitive, or mobility impairments.
• Train staff on disability inclusion and digital care etiquette; include consent, privacy, and data security.
• Track outcomes: time to consultation, adherence, adverse events, referral patterns, patient-reported experience and access.
• Coordinate with local disability groups and social services for device access, transportation, and caregiving support.

Timeline and next steps

The next two months focus on user feedback, with temporary free access for members of the disability community announced at launch. Expect refinements to workflows, accessibility features, and clinician oversight as partners gather real-world insights.

Further details on enrollment, coverage, and expansion will come from programme partners. Facilities should prepare now-pick a pilot unit, define roles, and establish measurement from day one.

Key quotes

"Health is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right." - Speaker Abbas Tajudeen

"The future of healthcare is digital, inclusive, and accessible."

Resources

• National Commission for Persons with Disabilities: https://ncpwd.gov.ng/
• WHO: Disability and health overview: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health

Bottom line for healthcare teams: this is a practical route to extend care access for PWDs at scale. Set up your governance, train your staff, and plug this service into your daily operations so patients feel the difference fast.