Health: Ebonyi Govt Inaugurates Digital Health Steering Committee, Others

By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma has inaugurated the Ebonyi State Digital Health Steering Committee and the Digital Health Technical Working Group members.

Inaugurating them at the Ochudo Centenary City Abakaliki, the Commissioner said that the initiative would help patients to access timely and quality healthcare and reduce fragmentation as well as duplication in healthcare services.

He congratulated the members and enjoined all hands to be on deck to achieve maximum result.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Finance, Prof. Leonard Uguru commended Dr. Ekuma for the innovation and urged the members to put heads together to make it work so that it would not end in theory.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo explained that the Committee would take care of the day to day running of the Digital Health activities including management of resources and setting strategic direction.

In their goodwill messages, the State Coordinator, World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Olayiwola Olanike, the representative of UNICEF, Mr. Ifeanyi Frank Nwodika, the representative of MSI, Mr. Agu Emeka, the representative of Elephant Healthcare, Mr. Celestine Ogbudeke, the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, ECEWS, Mr. Emelie Ezeani and the Logistics Manager, GHSC-PSM, Mr. Obasi Kingsley applauded the State Government for the new idea of offering more accessible, efficient and comprehensive care adding that it would complement face to face healthcare and improve health system by accelerating information exchange

They expressed their commitment to support the new approach to enhance service delivery.

On his part, the Focal Person, Digital Health, Dr. Miracle Ogbu gave an overview of digital health Initiative and called for collaboration of all the members to ensure success.

Responding on behalf of the Digital Health Steering Committee and the Digital Health Technical Working Group, the Chief Executive, Hospital Management Board, Dr. Chidi Ehiem and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Mfon Williamson thanked the Commissioner for the inauguration which they said would strengthen and bring positive change in the health sector.