VP launches Abia Tele-Health Initiative, rates Abia high on health

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo, Thursday officially launched the Abia State Tele-Health Initiative and commended the initiative which he said will give people access to affordable healthcare and enhance universal health coverage.

Launching the programme at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, the Vice President expressed the support of the federal government to the programme, as well as others geared towards improving the life of the people.

“This is a giant leap forward in terms of universal coverage for the people of Abia State. That is why I am here today not just to witness, but to fully align with the on-going determination of Governor Ikpeazu to make a positive mark in the life of Abians”, he said.

He described the project as exciting “because it is leveraging on available technology. In this case, the mobile phone is to deliver affordable healthcare to the people of the state”. Abia State stand out within and outside Nigeria as a forward-looking, people-centered state, and one that will open new ideas and initiatives.

“This is a commendable initiative indeed as it will cut the time spent in search of healthcare”.

Prof Osinbanjo stated that one of the most readily available forms of technology in Nigeria today is mobile phones, stating that with the Tele-Health support also known as “Dial a Doctor Initiative”, people can now through a dedicated phone line access medicare and support from doctors who can even communicate in local languages.

In his speech, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu who said that the Tele Health is the future of healthcare in Nigeria explained that people can now leverage on the tele-density in Nigeria to drive trade and commerce, sales, distribution of goods and services and also healthcare delivery.

“With this initiative I’m confident that we are going to do something about life expectancy in Abia State in a positive way because it is my Desire by 2019 to drive life expectancy in Abia State above the national average. We can do it. I think with your support; we can achieve it.”

The Governor maintained that a lot of benefits come with the initiative including the maintenance of the confidentiality of the patient.

“So today, you can sit in the comfort of your bedroom and get expert advice from a medical practitioner and prescriptions will be sent to you through sms. You can also be referred to the nearest primary health center which is visible to the doctor in the call center,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole represented by the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Dr. Chukwu Abali, stated that the initiative will broaden access to healthcare of Abians and promised to collaborate with the state.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna described the tele initiative as a strategy to widen access to healthcare, maintaining that it will capture adolescents and young ones and wipe out self-medication.

The chairman, senate committee on Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Sen MAO Ohuabunwa and the Country Project Director, ICT for Health, Dr. Oyedepo applauded the initiative which according to them will save lives and thanked Abia Governor for having the will to do it.

The Coordinator of the tele Health Initiative, Dr Omas Lebias who said the initiative is a public private initiative explained that the tremendous reach of telephones positions it as a modern tool to provide access to healthcare, adding that the initiative will focus on preventive health especially since face to face encounter with a doctor is not always feasible.