The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched its eHealth Policy and 2018-2022 Implementation Strategy Document (ISD).
Acting Secretary and Director Administration & Finance, Alhaji Musa Abduraheem said Tuesday that information and communication technology is rapidly replacing manual paper-based systems in all sectors across the globe bringing with it numerous benefit and advantages.
The secretary who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, Dr Mathew Ashikeni stated that eHealth adoption in the health sector has a great potential for increased efficiency and effectiveness of both service delivery as well as clinical, operational and administrative aspects of healthcare.
Abduraheem said by committing to the development of the first full-fledged eHealth policy and strategy document in Nigeria, the FCT administration led by the minister, Muhammad Musa Bello has demonstrated strong political will towards the use of eHealth to produce rapid transformational change in the health sector and make he lives of people better.
The secretary said that the FCT is playing a leading role in the integration of technology into healthcare in Nigeria.
“Currently, we have deployed Electronic Medical Records Systems to six of our General Hospitals and plans are at advanced stage to expand this to the remaining facilities including the primary health care facilities. Also, there are over 112 eHealth initiatives currently being implemented across both public and private health sectors in the FCT.”
He added that despite relative successes recorded so far, there are still some challenges in implementing eHealth which includes resistance to change amongst health workers, low capacity of health workers on basic ICT skills and competencies, lack of sustainable funding, weak governance and regulation, poor state of ICT and supporting infrastructure, including computer equipment, internet connectivity and irregular power supply.
He said the document which has been aligned with the National eHealth Strategic Framework 2015-2020 will provide an enabling environment for eHealth to thrive and help consolidate the delivery of Universal Health Care across the FCT in line with the vision and mission of the Health and Human Services Secretariat and the FCT administration.
