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 security in telehealth. “Before we can unlock the full benefits of telehealth technology, providers must ensure they have a secure platform for sharing personal health information.
This calls for an end-to-end approach that includes strong network security features and controlled access rights management,” Chibundu explained.
Chibundu projected significant cost savings for both patients and healthcare providers, stating, “Telehealth can reduce travel costs for in-demand healthcare specialists and patients. It can also lead to more efficient use of healthcare resources, potentially lowering overall healthcare costs.”
Earlier, the founding chairman of Global Healthcare Travel Council and President of the Turkish Healthcare Tourism Development Council, Emin Çakmak, said global healthcare travel is never going to stop because each day new technology is emerging in different countries, and people worldwide are moving and trying to find the best technology, best possible treatments, and best solutions.
Çakmak highlighted the current trends in global healthcare, noting, “The biggest trend now is that oncology cases are increasing to very high numbers. Today, many patients are coming for COVID-related causes and oncological requirements. The healthcare industry is also searching for new methods of cancer treatment because it is the most harmful and fast-progressing disease for human beings.”
Speaking on technological advancements, Çakmak said, “Many new technologies are being developed for oncology cases, especially in radio-oncology. Proton therapy has become a new technology we now have in our country, treating patients at a very high level. There’s also intelligent medicine technology for cancer treatments. These intelligent medicines are injected into the body, and they find cancer cells, catch them, and kill them without affecting the rest of the body.”
Çakmak added that factors such as “infrastructure, investments, latest technology, human resources, hospitality, connectivity, easy accessibility, and affordable prices” are attracting people to seek healthcare internationally.
