Edo government on Saturday began the treatment of vulnerable persons in the state using telemedicine at the Oredo Primary Health Care Centre in Benin.

Telemedicine is a free medical outreach programme via virtual examination of patients by doctors. It was initiated by the state government in collaboration with the Association of Nigeria Physicians in America (ANPA).

Addressing journalists, the Edo Commissioner for Health, Obehi Akoria, said the government gave free medications to patients after being examined by ANPA doctors using telemedicine.

“They consult our doctors in the United States of America. After they finish seeing them, they give them their medicines for free, and they go home.

“Last Saturday, we saw 12 patients, and that has been going on like this since. This is something we intend to continue and strengthen.

“There will be an official launch of this programme on Tuesday. The launch is to tell the world that it has been tested and proven and that it’s possible,” she said.

The commissioner explained that the state’s residents do not need to travel abroad for treatments.

“They don’t have to travel on the road or risk their lives because the technology is there. This is about deploying the internet to deliver healthcare.

“As it is right now, this is being done on a purely volunteer basis, a free service, courtesy of the government of Edo State,” she said.

Mrs Akoria said if after examination it requires surgery, the patients will be arranged in batches and the surgeons will be booked to come from the U.S. to conduct the surgery in Nigeria.

The executive secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Department Agency, Otaniyenuwa Obarisiagbon, noted that ANPA treated over 10,000 patients during their free medical outreach done recently in the state.

Mrs Obarisiagbon also said about 5,000 surgeries were done, adding that over 3, 000 medical classes were given out to Edo people.

(NAN)