Conference seeks universal coverage of E-Health in Nigeria

The 12th edition of the Nigerian conference on Telemedicine and E-health has kicked off with participants looking for a way forward in the implementation of the National Health ICT strategic framework for 2015-2020 to guide e-health in Nigeria.

Tvc’s Kemi Balogun reports that E-health is a relatively recent health care practice supported by electronic processes and communication, dating back to at least 1999. In simple terms e-health is the use of the internet for health care practice.

Basically, the vision of this conference is to use e-health to help deliver universal health coverage in Nigeria.

Participants believe this is achievable. They see inauguration of the Technical Committee ISOTC215 Health Informatics as the first step, by making data collection easier in health care centres across board.

The mission is to build stronger health systems through the design and implementation of data driven solutions that respond to local needs and
provide communities with the tools to live healthier lives.

A range of services that will make patients to spend less time while getting emergency care is feasible.

Data gathered for e-health will be used for some of the following: ” Electronic health record: enabling the communication of patient data
between different health care professionals.

Computerized physician order entry: a means of requesting diagnostic tests and treatments electronically and receiving the results,

E-prescribing options, printing prescriptions to patients and sometimes electronic transmission of prescriptions from doctors or pharmacists”