Industry leaders and healthcare experts have introduced innovative, technology-driven solutions aimed at addressing healthcare inequalities plaguing rural communities across Nigeria. At an event organised by DoctorCare247, the Nigerian telehealth provider noted that there was an urgent need for a comprehensive national policy to support and accelerate digital health initiatives. Chief executive officer of DoctorCare247, Chuks Melville Chibundu, in his keynote address, said that telehealth has the potential to transform and revolutionize healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas in Nigeria.
He said “The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the landscape of healthcare. Telehealth has proven its value and is here to stay. It’s time for our national policies to catch up with this reality.
” He called on governments across the country to come up with “a forward-thinking national policy that will enable us to harness these innovations for the benefit of all citizens, regardless of their geographical location.” According to him, “Telehealth provides greater reach to rural and underserved communities, making it more convenient for them to make and keep appointments. People with limited mobility or those who cannot drive can more easily get the care they need.
Rural healthcare centres can connect patients to in-demand specialists, such as neurologists, without the need for long-distance travel.” The DoctorCare247 CEO also addressed the critical issue of data s.