The Edo State Government and the Association of Nigeria Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) have commenced treatment of indigent patients in the state with the use of telemedicine, as part of the effort to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare.
Addressing journalists at the Oredo Primary Healthcare Centre, in Benin City, where patients had a virtual session with foreign medical experts, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, said the telemedicine programme is a follow-up to the earlier free medical outreach programme organised by the state government, in partnership with ANPA.
She noted that medications recommended by the foreign medical experts were given to the patients after the virtual session, adding, “They have consultations with our doctors in the United States of America. After the session, the patients were given medicines for free. Last Saturday, 12 patients had similar sessions and that has been going on for a while. This is something we intend to continue.”
Prof Akoria said the Edo Telemedicine Hub will officially be launched on Tuesday, June 7, noting, “The launch is to tell the world that it has been tested and proven that it is possible. We have people who have benefited from it. Our partners from the United States of America will be at the launch.”
One of the beneficiaries of the telemedicine session, 75-year-old Mrs. Patience Osazuwa, said her session with the foreign medical experts is a result of an earlier appointment with the medical officials and Dr. Philip Osehobo who attended to her virtually.
