By Kayode Falade
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat) has launched the NigComHealth, tele-health platform aimed at ensuring easy access to health services for Nigerians especially the underserved and unserved through digital technology.
The virtual health platform was born out of the partnership between NIGCOMSAT and Canadian firms, ETNOMET and SAWTRAX. It provides a platform for Nigerians to book appointments, receive medical advice and recommendation, and consult with medical doctors and other healthcare consultants from the comfort of their localities.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, who unveiled the platform on Monday in Abuja, described it as a timely solution that would make certain that quality healthcare services are available to all Nigerians irrespective of their locations.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof Salahu Jinadu, the minister noted that the platform would also aid reduction in the level of medical tourism by Nigerians, even as quality medical practitioners would be available within the country and across the globe.
He said, “Nigeria spends between $1.2 and 1.6 billion on medical tourism yearly. The NigComHealth programme can significantly reduce this medical tourism since the platform will help to provide easy access to first class medical practitioners for all Nigerians via NigComHealth digital platform.”
He said data from Nigerian Health Registry showed that the country has a total of 39, 914 operational hospitals and clinics made up of private and public hospitals across the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care.
The minister lamented that Nigeria had yet to meet the world ratio of one doctor to 600 patients as the country currently has one doctor to 5000 patients.
According to Pantami Nigeria requires 363,000 additional doctors to meet this target, stressing that the NigComhealth can address this matter.
The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Mohammed Lawal Funtua, while expressing gratitude to the stakeholders said there would be more commitment to bring out innovations towards adding value to the citizens while leveraging on technology.
He said, “We are in full gear to help ease the burden of public and private hospitals and other medical services into NigComHealth. Together we will ensure health reaches our fingertips.”
Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christophe, in his remarks said the technology was developed to assist over 1.7 million public sector workers in Nigeria adding that this would strengthen the bilateral ties between Nigeria and Canada even as it would save cost and reduce risks.
Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, who spoke on behalf of other CEOs of the ministry, said the development was a remarkable milestone in the nation’s stride for a digital Nigeria.