Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo on Wednesday inaugurated the State’s Telemedicine Hub to ensure healthcare services was made available to residents in all parts of the state, especially hard-to-reach areas.
He said the Telemedicine Hub, the pilot copy, is expected to address healthcare gap created by shortage of manpower in the state.
According to the governor, the hub, situated at Comprehensive Medical Centre, Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra is connected to 10 other health centres in different communities.
He said, “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.”
While praising the Awkwuzu community for erecting infrastructure in the centre, Soludo urged other communities emulate the gesture, just as he assured government continued partnership with them.
Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike said the Telemedicine Hub’s concept was the first in West Africa and Nigeria.
Obidike said the technology would be beneficial to residents with the aid of google diagnostics to consult with doctors in America and Abuja.
He said, “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 also improve the health and well-being of people by reducing
delays in accessing healthcare due to time, distance and location.”
