The Anambra State Government has introduced a comprehensive training program to equip health workers with essential telemedicine skills, enhancing their capacity to provide remote healthcare services. The initiative was unveiled during a two-day training session held in Awka for medical personnel, marking a significant step toward integrating technology into the state’s healthcare system.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, described the program as a groundbreaking effort to improve healthcare access and affordability across the state. He highlighted that Anambra is the first state in Nigeria to incorporate telemedicine into its healthcare system, underscoring its commitment to innovation.
“Telemedicine is a game-changer. It allows healthcare professionals to reach patients who would otherwise need to travel long distances for medical consultations. This will improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care,” Dr. Obidike stated.
The training included hands-on sessions and real-life case studies to ensure participants gained both technical proficiency and practical knowledge in delivering remote medical care.
Dr. Obidike also revealed that the government has equipped 326 Primary Healthcare Centres with telemedicine gadgets and assigned 47 medical doctors to Telemedicine Centres across the state’s 21 Local Government Areas.
He noted that Governor Chukwuma Soludo had earlier commissioned a Telemedicine Hub in Awkuzu as part of his administration’s vision to expand access to healthcare across Anambra State.
“With this program, Anambra State is poised to lead in healthcare innovation in Nigeria. Telemedicine is an essential tool to address the growing demand for medical services amidst infrastructure challenges in some areas,” Dr. Obidike affirmed.
The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to bridge gaps in healthcare access and deliver quality services to residents, particularly those in remote and underserved communities.
