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Background

Nigeria reported its first case of COVID-19 at the end of February 2020 and subsequently experienced four waves, with peaks in June 2020 and January, August and December 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the economy of Nigeria and caused disruption of health services nationwide. During the crisis, many Nigerians failed to access routine health services due to decreased income and lockdown restrictions. The most significant service disruptions were in maternal and newborn health, vaccination, sick childcare, family planning and noncommunicable disease treatment services (1). Pregnant women were anxious about contracting COVID-19 during 2020, and as a result, many avoided attending health facilities for antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC). Disruptions in the medical supply chain and diversion of resources to COVID-19 management impacted on essential health services. Health workers were often unable to go to work because of transport disruptions or illness. Women were uncertain about where to seek care and how to do so safely. In response to these circumstances, the Federal Ministry of Health took various actions to maintain essential reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and elderly health and nutrition (RMNCAEH+ N) services. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the scale-up of digital health interventions in Nigeria was planned with the implementation of the National health information, communication and technology strategic framework (NHICTSF) 2015-2020. The vision for health information, communication and technology (ICT) at that time was," By 2020, health ICT will …