Indigenes of Edo state have expressed gratitude to the state government for the introduction of telemedicine in health institutions across the state.
The initiative was launched by the government recently in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian physicians in America (ANPA), at no cost, in Benin metropolis and some e-clinics in rural communities across the state through the use of telecommunication technology.
Beneficiaries at various Primary Healthcare Centres were full of praises for Governor Godwin Obaseki for granting the vulnerable population in the state more access to free quality healthcare, saying the use of telemedicine granted them faster treatment and relief from their ailments.
Narrating her experience, a patient at Oredo primary Healthcare Centre, Benin, Mrs Ajila Stella told journalists that she has received treatment via telemedicine at the centre twice and her blood pressure which was hovering around 200 and above has normalized to 131/75.
She also expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for health Prof. Obehi Akoria for her efforts in coordinating the initiative and urged members of the public who cannot afford quality healthcare services to take advantage of the telemedicine program to obtain free care.
Another patient at the PHC centre, Mr. Osatohamwen Ogie told journalists that many indigenes who could not have been able to afford Medicare are now coming forward to benefit from telemedicine.
The Chief Medical Officer, Oredo PHC, Dr. Ohonba Humphrey disclosed that the telemedicine initiative is currently being handled by doctors from America who diagnose and treat patients through the computer with the use of internet. It is now being held weekly for residents across the state.
Dr. Ohonba advised Edo people to say “no” to self medications, saying the first thing to do when faced with a health challenge, is to get tested and be properly diagnosed to know what the health issues are before appropriate treatment is administered.
Source: Edo state Ministry of Health
