Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon Joshua Gana, at the launch of the AI-enabled healthcare programme for persons with disabilities.
House of Representatives has launched an artificial intelligence–driven healthcare programme in an effort to confront systemic barriers that continue to deny millions of people with disabilities access to basic medical services.
The initiative, unveiled in Abuja, by the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, is themed Inclusive Health Through Innovation: Bridging Disability and Technology, was meant to adress the deep and persistent inequalities in Nigeria’s healthcare system, where persons with disabilities remain disproportionately excluded from routine care, diagnostic services and health information.
Represented by Hon Joshua Gana, a lawmaker from Niger State, Hon Tajudeen said “Health is not a privilege; it is a fundamental human right, stressing that access to care must not be determined by physical ability, income or social status.
Technology as a response to exclusion
The Speaker said artificial intelligence offers a practical solution to long-standing gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly for people with disabilities who face physical, communication and economic barriers.
He noted that AI-powered tools have improved diagnosis, enabled early medical intervention and supported personalised care across the world. Technologies that assist people with speech and hearing impairments, smart mobility devices for those with severe physical disabilities, and learning platforms for people with dyslexia were cited as examples.
Latest News
- Nigeria Launches First Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy Trial
- WHO Says 40% of Global Cancer Cases Are Preventable
- Foundation Warns Poverty Fuels Cancer Deaths Among Nigerian Women
He maintained that AI-driven rehabilitation tools, are also reducing dependence on full-time caregivers while lowering costs for families.
Nigeria is estimated to have more than 25 million people living with disabilities, many of whom continue to face structural exclusion despite existing legal protections.
Pilot programme targets immediate impact
The programme, organised by TAF Africa in partnership with Koyo HealthTech and the Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen Resource Centre for People with Disabilities, will begin with a pilot phase targeting 350 beneficiaries.
Through the Koyo mobile app, participants will access doctor-supervised consultations, AI-based health guidance, dermatological assessments and disability-specific accessibility features.
According to Mr Tajudeen, beneficiaries will receive two months of free AI-enabled healthcare services, describing the intervention as more than a technology rollout. “These services are pathways to dignity, independence and improved wellbeing,” he said.
Legislature backs inclusion with funding and reform
The Speaker reaffirmed that disability inclusion remains a priority of the 10th House of Representatives, linking the programme to broader legislative reforms.
He assured that lawmakers would intensify enforcement of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, which established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, while pushing for improved funding and stronger implementation of disability-focused policies.
Mr Tajudeen also announced that the House plans to support monthly digital health subscription payments for persons with disabilities over the next five years. He disclosed that lawmakers would begin work on a bill to mandate the Federal Government to permanently absorb the cost of such subscriptions.
Private sector stresses affordability
Speaking at the launch, Koyo HealthTech CEO, Dr Thomas Cracknell, said the platform was designed to remove cost and access barriers that have historically excluded persons with disabilities.
“Koyo Navigate connects people directly to qualified medical doctors quickly and safely,” he said. “Our goal is to make trusted healthcare guidance accessible regardless of income, geography or circumstance.”
He explained that the platform combines licensed medical professionals with carefully governed artificial intelligence to ensure accuracy, scale services amid doctor shortages and keep prices affordable.
“For Koyo, affordability and accessibility are not features. They are non-negotiable principles,” he added.
Cracknell said the next phase of the partnership would prioritise user feedback to refine services based on the lived experiences of persons with disabilities.
Disability advocates call for government action
Earlier, TAF Africa Founder, Jake Epelle, described access to healthcare as central to achieving meaningful inclusion. He announced temporary free access to the Koyo app for members of the disability community and urged the Federal Government to formally partner with the platform.
“When persons with disabilities have access to quality healthcare and qualified professionals, inclusion becomes achievable,” he said.
Laws exist, but gaps remain
Nigeria enacted the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act in 2018, mandating accessibility in public buildings, transportation systems and essential services. However, implementation remains weak.
The State of Disability Inclusion Report 2024 found that 28% of health facilities still lack basic accessibility features, leaving many Nigerians with disabilities excluded from healthcare, education and employment despite legal protections.
About the Author
