By John Ugo, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, on Wednesday inaugurated the first Telemedicine Hub to address the healthcare challenges created by shortage of healthcare workers in the state.
The pilot Telemedicine Hub which is situated at Comprehensive Medical Centre, Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of the state is to connect ten other health centres in different communities across the state.
Soludo said that the telemedicine hub was part of efforts to ensure that healthcare services were made available to residents in all parts of the state, especially hard-to-reach areas.
He said the, “Telemedicine is simply the use of telecommunication gadgets to remotely consult, diagnose and treat patients irrespective of their locations.
“With the gap created with the rate of brain drain in the country, this technology will improve and increase access to healthcare delivery in the state.
“If this pilot hub works as expected, we will replicate it in the other 179 communities in the state,” he stated.
The Governor commended the Awkwuzu community for erecting infrastructure in the medical centre and urged other communities to partner with government and emulate the gesture.
The Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Afam Obidike said that the concept and inauguration of the Telemedicine Hub was the first in West Africa and Nigeria.
Obidike said that it would be beneficial to residents in the state with the use of google diagnostics to consult with doctors in America and Abuja.
“Diagnostic google would be used at the healthcare facilities to get the doctors attend to patients from any location.
“We have ensured that there will be minimal challenges as regards network and power supply as we have installed solar energy to drive 24 hours services.
“This Telemedicine will improve the health and well-being of people by reducing delays in accessing healthcare due to time, distance and location,”he said.
