Anambra State Government has set target to deploy telemedicine as part of measures to improve residents’ access to healthcare.
Some appointees of Governor Charles Soludo: Dr. Afam Obidike, the Anambra State Commissioner for Health; Mr. Godwin Nnadozie, Special Adviser to the Governor, Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, and Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD, Anambra ICT Agency, on Wednesday met with the 24. Telemed team led by Dr. Mariette Amadi, as part of measures to expand the access level to healthcare, without in-person office visit in Anambra State.
The meeting is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Health, Office of the Special Adviser on Medicals and Pharmaceuticals and the State ICT Agency, aimed at delivering the strategic objective of Mr. Governor to provide quality, affordable and easily accessible healthcare to Ndi Anambra, regardless of location.
Telemedicine offers solution to improved healthcare access, especially in areas where there are challenges in reaching healthcare facilities or specialists.
By leveraging technology, telemedicine allows patients to consult with healthcare professionals remotely, using video calls, phone calls, or secure messaging platforms.
In driving the initiative, the Anambra ICT Agency is key, having the mandate to realize the ‘Everything Technology And Technology Everywhere’ vision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo across sectors in the state.
This vision of Mr Governor, leveraging technology, embodies opportunities for global collaboration especially with the huge stock of Anambra’s diaspora population in frontier medical services, to ensure that Anambra people within and outside the state, have easy access to quality and affordable healthcare even without in-person office visit.
Speaking on behalf of 24. Telemed team, Dr. Mariette Amadi said there should be no discrimination in health.
“Most people in the rural areas do not go to health care centers, they resort to traditional medicine and the likes.
“This service will be beneficial to the people, especially those in the rural areas, who cannot access primary health care in-office visits but can place a call with their phones and be able to access healthcare on the go,” she concluded.
“We are determined to assist Mr. Governor, to achieve his goal for a healthy Anambra where people have access to affordable and quality services in health care,” Commissioner Obidike posited, adding that “we are determined to see this work done because we are the solution.”
In his words, the Special Adviser Medical to the Governor, Dr. Godwin Nnadozie noted that Governor Soludo’s idea of health service to the people, is a comprehensive 24-hour system that will accommodate those within the state and those living outside.
According to the MD, Anambra ICT Agency, Mr. Agbata, the agency as the technology engine-house of the state, is an integral component in efforts to give vent to Mr. Governor’s vision as contained in the people’s manifesto, as it concerns health.
He expressed the commitment of the Agency, in fulfilling its mandate given by Mr Governor, to provide the technological milieu to drive the process.
Present at the strategic meeting were the Anambra ICT Agency boss, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, the state commissioner for health, Dr. Afam Obidike, Special Adviser Medical to the governor, Dr. Godwin Nnadozie, Dr. Mariette Amadi, as well as Mr. Tavek Elshayal, Mr. Daniel Aligasim, Mr. Erik Obianozie and Mr. Emeruwa Ugochukwu Ronald, from the 24. Telemed team.