Approaching healthcare delivery through a new lens: a crowdsourcing challenge to identify health-related social innovations to increase universal health coverage in Nigeria

Background Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, is faced with several health challenges including neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases and emerging infectious diseases. Unfortunately, the country has a weak health system to tackle these health challenges. Creative solutions for solving these systemic health challenges through social innovations are therefore needed in Nigeria. Hence, Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) Nigeria conducted a pilot crowdsourcing challenge to identify social innovation solutions in Anambra State, Nigeria. Method A crowdsourcing approach was used to identify social innovations in healthcare delivery that has been applied in Nigeria for a minimum of 1 year. The six-stage process of the crowdsourcing challenge contest included: (1) selection of challenge focus, (2) organising community steering group, (3) engaging the community to contribute, (4) receiving and evaluating contributions, (5) recognising finalists and (6) sharing solutions. The crowdsourcing challenge was hosted by SIHI Nigeria, based at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. Result Seventeen innovations were received in the crowdsourcing challenge. Five of the innovations were eligible based on criteria developed and were sent to the panel of experts for review. Following the review of the average score and case study research, the panel of experts selected top three innovations, which included a digital health solution, a mobile clinic and a community-based health insurance programme. Conclusion Top three social innovations were identified in the crowdsourcing challenge. These innovations could be refined and scaled up to increase universal health coverage in Nigeria by subjecting them to further research.