posted April 11, 2024
Edo State’s carefully thought-out initiative to enhance telemedicine and primary healthcare through fiber optic internet infrastructure is a significant advancement. This move has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, especially in rural and underserved areas statewide.
The Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okunbowa, who disclosed this in Benin City said this development could improve healthcare delivery, diagnosis, and access to medical information, benefiting both healthcare providers and patients across the 18 local government areas of the State.
In his remarks during telemedicine workshop held in Benin City, with the theme, “Delivering Value in Primary Health Care: The Role of Telemedicine, the Head of Service, said with fiber optic connection across the 18 Local Government areas in Edo State, primary healthcare centres can leverage access to the internet to improve delivery of quality healthcare.
He said, “Through telemedicine we can actually harness the power of technology to overcome the barriers that have plagued our primary healthcare system. With the advent of telecommunication networks, video conferences, mobile applications, medical advice, consultations diagnosis can be delivered remotely reaching those in need regardless of the geographical limitations.
“The novel initiative is made possible by his Excellency with the connection of fiber optics across the 18 Local Government areas in Edo State. This not only saves time and resources but also ensures quality healthcare services are readily available even in the most remote areas.”
On his part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has continued to reposition primary healthcare centers through strategic interventions.
He noted: “In the last two years, we have renovated over 50 facilities and we have also deployed personnel there with the goal that at least there should be one primary healthcare centre functional per each ward. We have a template; we have the design.
“We do not want us to begin to view primary healthcare centres as clinics for poor people and for rural dwellers. It is for everyone who needs the services.”
By providing reliable internet connectivity to primary healthcare centers, healthcare providers will now be able to access medical information, consult with specialists remotely, and provide better care to patients. This development aligns with global trends in digital healthcare, aiming to improve healthcare access and outcomes using technology.