TELEMEDICINE TO ADDRESS DEARTH OF DOCTORS IN FCT—FASAWE

By: Reginald Uhegbu

The introduction of Telemedicine in the primary health care system in the Federal Capital Territory has been described as a feasible panacea to the inadequacy of medical doctors in the Territory.

Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during a two-day pilot telehealth training for health care workers in selected primary health care facilities in the FCT.

The Mandate Secretary, who restated the FCT Administration’s desire to provide affordable and quality health care services to FCT residents, but regretted that less than 20 Doctors serve in the over 200 Primary health care facilities in the Territory.

To bridge this gap, Fasawe pointed out that Telemedicine, whereby patients can consult a doctor online, will not only afford patients of Primary health centres the opportunity of fast and immediate diagnosis, but also will reduce the pressure on secondary health facilities, which are constantly burdened with minor ailments that could be handled at the primary health care level.

To encourage the take-off of the scheme in the FCT, Dr. Fasawe pledged to pay for the registration of the first 20 patients to access telemedicine at a particular Primary health care centre in the FCT health Insurance scheme, as well as a special price for the telemedicine focal person in the facility.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of the facilitating Agency Mobihealth, Dr Funmi Adewara, said that telemedicine would bring back patients who have lost hope with the services of primary health care centres due to the absence of doctors.

She urged the trainees to share their experience at the training with other health care workers in their respective facilities in order to ensure regular and uninterrupted services.

Abuja Digest reports that the mandate secretary presented certificates to the trainees.

Telemedicine is the use of electronic information and communication technologies to provide and support health care when distance separates participants.