Nigeria’s digital health sector is expanding as technology increasingly changes how patients access medical services. The market is projected to exceed ?180 billion by the end of 2026, with a growing number of telemedicine platforms connecting patients with healthcare professionals across the country. One emerging area of demand is among Nigerians living abroad who need to coordinate healthcare for parents, relatives, and other loved ones at home.
VigorCare, operated by Vigor Medical Services Limited, is among the platforms seeking to address this challenge. Its healthcare coordination model connects patients and their sponsors through the VigorCare app, while doctors, nurses and specialists use the VigorProvider app to deliver care. The platform offers teleconsultations, triage support, access to a network of healthcare providers and digital payment services to make healthcare coordination more accessible for families managing care across borders.
As telemedicine adoption grows and demand for diaspora-focused healthcare services increases, BusinessDay’s Oluwafemi Mayowa Olusola spoke with Ronke Fakorede, Director at VigorCare, about how telemedicine works in practice, the healthcare challenges faced by Nigerians supporting relatives from abroad, and the opportunities and limitations of technology-enabled healthcare delivery. In this interview, she explains VigorCare’s approach, how patients and healthcare providers interact through the platform, and what the growth of telemedicine could mean for Nigerian families at home and abroad. Excerpts…
‘A digital record can make the process easier to follow by showing information such as whether a scheduled consultation took place and whether further action was recommended. Where a patient chooses to share relevant information with a sponsor, this can also help the person supporting the care understand what has been done and what may be required next.’
What exactly is VigorCare?
VigorCare is a healthcare coordination platform designed to help patients and the people supporting their care manage consultations, payments, and follow-up remotely. It is particularly relevant to families where the person arranging or paying for care may not be in the same location as the patient. The platform has two connected applications: VigorCare for patients and sponsors, and VigorProvider for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Depending on the service required, users can access teleconsultations, triage, healthcare providers and payment services through the platform.
What does ‘telemedicine’ actually mean?
Telemedicine refers to providing certain healthcare services remotely, usually through a telephone or video consultation rather than a physical appointment. It can allow a healthcare professional to assess a patient’s reported symptoms, provide advice, discuss an existing condition, or determine whether the person needs further examination. It is useful in situations where a physical consultation may not be necessary, but it does not eliminate the need for in-person care when that is clinically required.
Is telemedicine meant to replace hospitals and clinics?
No. Telemedicine complements rather than replaces physical healthcare services. It can be useful for consultations, follow-up appointments, some chronic-care management, and initial guidance, but some situations require a physical examination, diagnostic tests or immediate treatment. Symptoms such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding or possible signs of stroke require urgent in-person medical attention. Telemedicine should not be used as a substitute for emergency care.
Who is VigorCare actually for?
It is intended for patients who need access to healthcare services and for people who help organise or finance their care. This can include Nigerians living abroad who support parents or relatives in Nigeria, as well as people within Nigeria who are helping family members in another city or state. Healthcare professionals are another part of the platform, using VigorProvider to participate in consultations and provide care within the services available.
How does a consultation on VigorCare actually work?
The patient completes the relevant triage information and books a consultation through the VigorCare platform. The patient can then connect with a healthcare professional through a video or voice consultation, depending on the service available. Following the consultation, the healthcare professional may provide advice, recommend follow-up care, issue a prescription where appropriate, request further tests, or recommend an in-person visit. The relevant information is recorded on the platform so that the patient has a record of the consultation and any recommended next steps.
Why does that record matter?
For families supporting healthcare from a distance, knowing what happened after money was sent for treatment can sometimes be difficult. A digital record can make the process easier to follow by showing information such as whether a scheduled consultation took place and whether further action was recommended. Where a patient chooses to share relevant information with a sponsor, this can also help the person supporting the care understand what has been done and what may be required next.
When should someone choose a video consultation instead of going to a hospital?
A virtual consultation can be useful for follow-up discussions, some aspects of chronic-condition management, seeking another medical opinion, or discussing symptoms before deciding whether further care is necessary. It can also be useful when distance makes an initial consultation difficult. However, it is not appropriate for emergencies or situations where a physical examination or immediate intervention is necessary. VigorCare is not an emergency medical service.
How are the doctors and providers on VigorCare verified?
Healthcare professionals who provide services through the platform go through a verification process before joining the provider network. The purpose is to establish that providers meet the relevant professional and licensing requirements. Patients should still understand that a telemedicine platform does not remove the normal limitations of remote medical consultations, particularly where a diagnosis requires physical examination or testing.
What happens to a patient’s medical information? Is it private?
Patient information is used in connection with the healthcare services being provided and should be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and healthcare requirements. Information shared with a sponsor is subject to the patient’s consent and the permissions applicable to the service. A sponsor supporting a patient’s healthcare should not be assumed to have unrestricted access to that person’s medical information.
Can a sponsor abroad pay for care directly through VigorCare?
Yes. Where the relevant payment service is available, a sponsor can pay for healthcare services through the platform. This allows the payment and the related healthcare activity to be connected within the same digital process, rather than requiring the sponsor to arrange every part of the transaction separately. The specific services available may depend on the type of care being requested.
What can’t VigorCare do yet?
VigorCare does not replace hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, or emergency medical services. It is primarily a coordination and access platform, so there are limits to what can be done remotely. A patient may still need to visit a hospital, undergo diagnostic testing, or receive treatment in person. Services that are not currently available on the platform should not be assumed to be part of its offering.
How does someone get started with VigorCare?
Patients and sponsors can access the VigorCare application, while healthcare professionals use the VigorProvider application. Both applications are available through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Users can then register and select the services relevant to their healthcare or provider needs.