On Saturday, August 16, 2025, health innovators, medical professionals and students, and tech enthusiasts gathered at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the official launch of SmartMRS, an electronic medical record (EMR) system developed by Dobic Health. Themed “SmartVerge 1.0 – The SmartMRS Advantage”, the event marked another milestone in Nigeria’s growing digital health sector.
“Every facility can digitise in 7 days”
In his address, Dr. Abiodun Adereni, Founder and CEO of Dobic Health and HelpMum, highlighted the fragmented state of Nigeria’s medical record system and the urgent need for digital solutions.
“Today in Nigeria, your health records are not interconnected,” he said. “SmartMRS is here to make the process of running a clinic seamless from when a patient walks in, to consultation, testing, imaging, and follow-up care. Every facility can digitise itself in seven days with SmartMRS.”
The platform comes with eight modules, including lab, imaging, consultation, inventory, and a patient portal that allows individuals to securely access their medical history across multiple health facilities. SmartMRS also integrates AI tools like Diagnocare AI and Clinical Vision Model to assist doctors and radiologists in faster, more efficient diagnoses.
Dr. Adereni stressed that SmartMRS is not just about technology but about building a connected healthcare ecosystem, with private clinics, diagnostic centers, hospitals, and government institutions as key targets.
Panel session: EMRs and the future of healthcare
The event featured a panel session moderated by Kate Okorie, Communications & PR Officer at Dobic Health, titled “EMR: The Future of Health Information in a Fragmented Healthcare Sector.”
Panelists included Dr. Olawale Ogunlana (Medical Doctor and Media Innovator), Dr. Angelica Obayi (Medical Director, Dobic Health), Dr. Ibukun Tunde-Oni (Founder, Eight Medical), and Gideon Aniechi (CTO, 3CS Aquarah).
The discussion addressed Nigeria’s 1:4000 doctor-patient ratio, the challenges healthcare professionals face in adopting EMRs, and the role of cybersecurity in protecting sensitive health data. Aniechi underscored that “people remain the weakest link in security” and called for stronger training and awareness for health workers handling patient records.
Dobic health’s expanding impact
Beyond SmartMRS, Dr. Adereni shared Dobic Health’s broader achievements, including the launch of a blood bank center and partnerships with over 50 hospitals and leading HMOs like Reliance HMO and Total Health.
“In just six months, we’ve attended to more than 4,000 patients,” he said. “The revenue we made in July alone was four times what we made in our first month.”
He also revealed plans to scale SmartMRS gradually while expanding Dobic Health branches to Abuja, Ibadan, and Lagos Mainland, following a successful pre-seed fundraising round.
Celebrating innovation: Student pitch competition
The event ended on a high note with the announcement of the winners from the HelpMum CareCode Hackathon, an innovation challenge organised by HelpMum for young people in Nigeria’s tech community to pitch digital health ideas to support pregnant and nursing mothers.
- Francisca Omeagu, a student of UNILAG, and her teammate emerged winner with eirth Nekah App, earning ₦2 million.
- Feyisayo Abiodun and her team from Covenant University took second place with Mum’s Mind, winning ₦1.5 million.
- Michael Adekunle and his team from UNILAG placed third with E-Mama Care, securing ₦1 million.
Their ideas reflect the next generation’s commitment to using technology to transform maternal and child health.
A step toward a smarter health sector
The launch of SmartMRS represents a bold step toward digitising Nigeria’s healthcare system. With its AI integration, patient-focused features, and emphasis on security, the platform positions itself not just as another EMR, but as part of a larger vision to unify and strengthen healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
As Dr. Adereni summed it up: “We want to make healthcare smarter, seamless, and more accessible for everyone.”
