… commits to creating a responsive, patient-centric healthcare system
… embraces smart health apps to empower healthcare workers
The introduction of e-governance by the Edo State Government has placed the State at the forefront of a digital revolution in its Government Clinics and reformed administrative tasks for health workers.
Through fiber optics, internet connectivity is now available in some facilities in Edo State, facilitating seamless digital operations.
Spearheaded by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, this transformative shift from traditional methods of files and paper record systems to digital solutions aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services for Edo residents.
One of the significant advancements is the implementation of e-clinic systems in the Government Clinics (formerly known as Primary Healthcare Centres) managed by the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA).
This initiative is driven by deploying an electronic health records (EHR) system, where patients’ records are now managed electronically, ensuring efficient treatment and maintaining quality data entry. Healthcare workers can easily track treatments and prescriptions, streamlining patient care and improving overall efficiency.
The e-clinic innovation also features a dashboard for aggregating data from all Government Clinics for analysis and visualization, this provides a more efficient and effective administration in decision-making processes.
But the digital transformation doesn’t end there, as Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), embraces smart health apps to empower healthcare workers to provide quality care to residents. These apps are meant for client enumeration for home-based care and also to deliver personalized messages and reminders to patients concerning their health, ensuring comprehensive and attentive healthcare delivery.
The Government has provided essential technology tools like computers, laptops, tablets, solar power systems for computing and lighting, wired and wireless Local Area Networks (LAN), and internet connectivity for data which further aids in the digitalization process, enhancing the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery.
In the same vein of the digitalization process, on the 11th of April 2024, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki launched Telemedicine in Central Clinic Ukpenu, Esan West Local Government Area. He highlighted the expansion of telemedicine services from Ugbor Clinic in Oredo LGA to Central Clinic Ukpenu, Esan West LGA, assuring that Edo State has a very ambitious plan to conduct Medical Consultations via telemedicine in 50 Government Clinics across the State before the end of August 2024, and these 50 Clinics will be able to conduct consultation via telemedicine.
The first phase will feature 10 Clinics namely Oluku Clinic, Ovbiogie Clinic, Evbuotubu Clinic, Ugbor Clinic, Ikhueniro Clinic, Central Clinic Ukpenu, Idogbo Clinic, Ugbekun Clinic, Egua-Edaeken Clinic and Aruogba Clinic which will commence consultation soon.
The importance of telemedicine to Primary Healthcare cannot be overemphasized as it will help improve access to quality health services, as well as reduce cost and increase efficiency of the process.
With all these initiatives, Government Clinics across the state are poised for digital success.
According to Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), “Digitalization is the new norm in primary healthcare. Our staff are undergoing comprehensive training and retraining to maximize the potential of these technologies.
“This digital transformation fuels our commitment to creating a responsive and patient-centric healthcare system in Edo State. We have His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki to thank for that.”
