By Stanley Nwako
The Anambra State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery through telemedicine, with plans to expand and strengthen the programme across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, said this during an interactive session with doctors overseeing telemedicine services in Anambra State on June 15.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Obidike stressed the importance of ensuring that every resident of the state has access to medical consultations regardless of location. “Every Onye Anambra should be able to access a doctor in any part of the state through telemedicine. Our goal is to make quality healthcare available and accessible to all through technology,” he said.
The commissioner explained that one of the key strategies for improving the system is the proper documentation and uploading of patients’ medical records on the telemedicine portal.
According to him, When patient records and treatment details are uploaded on the portal, another doctor can easily continue treatment from where the previous doctor stopped, ensuring continuity of care.
Dr. Obidike also emphasized the need for better coordination among healthcare workers, noting that doctors should be able to communicate with Officers-in-Charge (OICs) online within their respective local government areas. He added that this would improve response time and service delivery across health facilities.
To further enhance patient care, the commissioner proposed a follow-up mechanism that would allow doctors to reconnect with patients after consultations. “Once a consultation ends, doctors should be able to call back patients when necessary to provide further guidance and ensure their health concerns are properly addressed,” he said.
He called for increased awareness of telemedicine services beyond radio announcements, urging stakeholders to engage community leaders and grassroots organizations. “We must work with ASATU and other community structures to educate our people on the benefits of telemedicine and how they can access these services,” Dr. Obidike said.
The commissioner further revealed that some medical professionals based in the United States have expressed interest in participating in telemedicine consultations in Anambra State. He noted that such collaborations would help improve access to specialist healthcare services, adding that specialist consultations should be conducted directly by qualified doctors.
Contributing during the session, the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, advised healthcare providers to utilize the Anambra State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS) through Officers-in-Charge to bridge referral gaps and ensure timely movement of patients requiring advanced medical attention.
Stanley Nwako is of the Ministry of Health, Anambra State
