How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis
Abstract Introduction Stakeholders in the health sector have advocated for the optimization of digital payment channels in low-and-middle-income countries in order to improve program outcomes. We conducted a landscape analysis of the local context, challenges, and opportunities for digitized health...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12338-z |
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| author | Folashayo Peter Adeniji David Ayobami Adewole Segun Bello Elizabeth Ekirapa Juliet Aweko Vincent Michael Kiberu Charles Opio Peter Waiswa Olufunmilayo Ibitola Fawole |
| author_facet | Folashayo Peter Adeniji David Ayobami Adewole Segun Bello Elizabeth Ekirapa Juliet Aweko Vincent Michael Kiberu Charles Opio Peter Waiswa Olufunmilayo Ibitola Fawole |
| author_sort | Folashayo Peter Adeniji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Stakeholders in the health sector have advocated for the optimization of digital payment channels in low-and-middle-income countries in order to improve program outcomes. We conducted a landscape analysis of the local context, challenges, and opportunities for digitized health worker payments in Nigeria. Methods This study was an exploratory qualitative case study with mixed-methods approach to data collection including; i) desk review, ii) interview of key informants and iii) engagement of stakeholders. In the desk review, the databases searched were MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar and Google. For the qualitative interviews, 17 stakeholders were interviewed between May and July 2022. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic approach with the Nvivo software. At the stakeholders’ (n = 15) engagement, findings from the desk review and interviews were discussed and additional data collected. Results Digital payment systems for health personnel described in the reviewed documents included the direct disbursement mechanisms, direct bank transfers and mobile money. Among these-payment methods, direct bank transfer was the most prominent digital payment method. Also, there is a high level of acceptability of digitized means of payment of health workers among stakeholders in the Nigerian health sector. From the regulatory point of view, the Nigerian government has initiated a number of digital payment policies including the cashless policy. Other incentives for digitization of payments were: availability of credible financial institutions, improved financial accountability and transparency, previous experience of under-payment or non-payment of end beneficiaries, to avoid delays in payment and ensure timely retirement of funds. Challenges of digital payments included: delayed resolution of problems associated with digital payment such as failed transactions, cyber security, double payments, and unfriendly bank policies. Conclusion Digital payment system is being utilized, accepted and would be beneficial for payments for the Nigerian healthcare system. Harnessing its benefits of improved health workers’ performance and program outcomes by enacting appropriate policies is recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e655b98c059d44afb13b87d6ca578d5e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-e655b98c059d44afb13b87d6ca578d5e2025-02-09T12:26:53ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-02-0125111310.1186/s12913-025-12338-zHow prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysisFolashayo Peter Adeniji0David Ayobami Adewole1Segun Bello2Elizabeth Ekirapa3Juliet Aweko4Vincent Michael Kiberu5Charles Opio6Peter Waiswa7Olufunmilayo Ibitola Fawole8Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of IbadanDepartment of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of IbadanDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of IbadanDepartment of Health Planning, and Policy Management, Makerere University School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Planning, and Policy Management, Makerere University School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Planning, and Policy Management, Makerere University School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Planning, and Policy Management, Makerere University School of Public HealthDepartment of Health Planning, and Policy Management, Makerere University School of Public HealthDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of IbadanAbstract Introduction Stakeholders in the health sector have advocated for the optimization of digital payment channels in low-and-middle-income countries in order to improve program outcomes. We conducted a landscape analysis of the local context, challenges, and opportunities for digitized health worker payments in Nigeria. Methods This study was an exploratory qualitative case study with mixed-methods approach to data collection including; i) desk review, ii) interview of key informants and iii) engagement of stakeholders. In the desk review, the databases searched were MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar and Google. For the qualitative interviews, 17 stakeholders were interviewed between May and July 2022. Audio recordings of interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic approach with the Nvivo software. At the stakeholders’ (n = 15) engagement, findings from the desk review and interviews were discussed and additional data collected. Results Digital payment systems for health personnel described in the reviewed documents included the direct disbursement mechanisms, direct bank transfers and mobile money. Among these-payment methods, direct bank transfer was the most prominent digital payment method. Also, there is a high level of acceptability of digitized means of payment of health workers among stakeholders in the Nigerian health sector. From the regulatory point of view, the Nigerian government has initiated a number of digital payment policies including the cashless policy. Other incentives for digitization of payments were: availability of credible financial institutions, improved financial accountability and transparency, previous experience of under-payment or non-payment of end beneficiaries, to avoid delays in payment and ensure timely retirement of funds. Challenges of digital payments included: delayed resolution of problems associated with digital payment such as failed transactions, cyber security, double payments, and unfriendly bank policies. Conclusion Digital payment system is being utilized, accepted and would be beneficial for payments for the Nigerian healthcare system. Harnessing its benefits of improved health workers’ performance and program outcomes by enacting appropriate policies is recommended.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12338-zDigital payment systemHealth programsImmunization campaign programsHealth workers in Nigeria |
| spellingShingle | Folashayo Peter Adeniji David Ayobami Adewole Segun Bello Elizabeth Ekirapa Juliet Aweko Vincent Michael Kiberu Charles Opio Peter Waiswa Olufunmilayo Ibitola Fawole How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis BMC Health Services Research Digital payment system Health programs Immunization campaign programs Health workers in Nigeria |
| title | How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis |
| title_full | How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis |
| title_fullStr | How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis |
| title_short | How prepared is Nigeria digital payment for health workers? A landscape analysis |
| title_sort | how prepared is nigeria digital payment for health workers a landscape analysis |
| topic | Digital payment system Health programs Immunization campaign programs Health workers in Nigeria |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12338-z |
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