Insecurity: Resident Doctors Advocate Telemedicine To Sustain Healthcare Delivery
Doctors have raised alarm over growth insecurity and the threat it posed to healthcare service delivery in Nigeria and Anambra in particular..
The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) made the observation at the opening ceremony of their 2024 Health Week in Nnewi on Wednesday.
The theme of the AGM was “Future Trends In Healthcare: Preparing For Tomorrow’s Challenges”
Dr Chiemezie Agbanu, President of ARD-NAUTH said the need had become necessary for doctors and patients to interact more without physically coming together through telemedicine practice.
He said this will enable the patient to access the doctor and receive health services through communication technology with unnecessary exposure to the threat of insecurity.
“One of the challenges we have in the dicusty today is insecurity, and one of the future trends in medical practice is telemedicine like our theme said.
“With telemedicine, doctors can talk to their patients and render some level of services without necessarily coming together physically, this will help reduce the risk of insecurity to both doctors and patients.
“Other future trends in medicine are the use of Artificial Intelligence and Robots in surgery. We know we are not there yet but we hope that the level of infrastructure will be put in place by the government to enhance efficiency in the sector,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chukwuemeka said no doctor would function optimally in an environment where he was not sure of returning safely of he goes out.
Ezeama, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at NAUTH described resident doctors as critical components of the healthcare delivery chain as a link between students and consultants.
He urged them doctors to stand together as a unit for better collective interest as well main active and cordial relationship with their senior colleagues.
In his good will message, Prof. Joseph Ugbaja, the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH said the theme of the was apt as it would help to leverage available innovations in view of the emerging challenges in the nation’s healthcare system.
Ugboaja who was represented by Dubem Onyejiaka, a Chief Medical Adviser said NAUTH was appreciative of the collaboration and tireless effort of the resident doctors towards achieving its commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.
The CMD said he was committed to the welfare of ARD members through payment and upgrade of areas, provision of conducive working environment, allocation of space for ARD lounge and ensuring unhindered career progression,” he said
The Health Week continues with research symposium, medical outreach Annual General Meeting and election of a new executive committee.
