Gov. Soludo Commissions Anambra Telemedicine Hub To Link Healthcare Centres In Rural Areas
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has commissioned the telemicidine hub in the state.
He said the hub will be used as a case study in 10 community healthcare centres in Oyi local government to experiment its effectiveness before linking it to other healthcare centres across the 181 communities of the state .
Speaking on the occasion which took place at Comprehensive Medical Centre, Awkuzu, in Oyi Council Area, where the hub is located, the governor hinted that the hub was part of his plans to boost the healthcare system.
He said the new medical approach was to make up for the deficit in healthcare professionals in the state.
Soludo noted that the Telemedicine Centre is the first of its kind to be launched in Nigeria, and appealed to Awkuzu community to ensure adequate protection of the facility.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, in an address, said the initiative would increase access and improve healthcare delivery in the state.
The Commissioner explained that telemedicine is the use of telecommunication technology to remotely diagnose and treat patients from any location, adding that it could be through telephone conversation, e-mail or instant messaging conversation.
According to the Commissioner, “Telemedicine is an innovative way of getting access and delivering healthcare through digital devices such as mobile devices and computers.
“Telemedicine means that you can be in the comfort of your home and book an appointment to see a doctor that is working anywhere in the world.
“The hub would enable Ndi-Anambra to get medical attention globally,” the Commissioner added.
The Transition Committee Chairman, Oyi Counci Area, Chief Emmanuel Nweke, appreciated appreciating the governor for the project, and promised to ensure adequate security in and around the hub.
It was gathered that the Telemedicine Centre was built and donated to the state government by a community group, Odinma Awkuzu Association.