The Edo State Government says it is embracing the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) to digtalise and improve healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, Edo State Commissioner for Health, announced launched the initiative during a three-day training programme on the District Health Information System (DHIS) held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy in Benin City.
The digitalisation effort is a major milestone in addressing challenges in technology and data management that hinder effective healthcare delivery, according to the Commissioner, who see the move a crucial to enhance healthcare services, especially for women and children under five years old.
Dr. Oshiomhole who sees primary healthcare as the first point of contact for individuals, families, and communities, says that, “by leveraging technology to improve data management, we are taking a bold step toward reducing maternal and child mortality, increasing immunisation coverage, and improving access to essential health services.”
Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, Edo State Commissioner for Health.
Commissioner: Digitalisation important for improvement of health service in Edo State
Dr. Oshiomhole expressed his unhappiness to the fact that women and children under 5 still become afflicted by diseases like malnutrition and limited access to quality healthcare service despite the progress made so far in the sector. “Digitalisation is crucial in data collection as a way of guiding decision making, allocation of resources and the measurement of progress,” he says.
The Commissioner further explains that the digitalisation of the National Health Management Information System would play an important role in “tracking, analysing and the improvement of health service delivery in the state,” and help in reducing inefficiencies caused by the analogue method of doing things as the primary healthcare is the foundation of a strong and sustainable health system.
Dr. Oshiomhole who sees primary healthcare as the first point of contact for individuals, families, and communities, says that, “by leveraging technology to improve data management, we are taking a bold step toward reducing maternal and child mortality, increasing immunisation coverage, and improving access to essential health services.”
Dr. Idemudia Osayomore, Project Manager of the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) initiative, also spoke on the importance of this effort assuring participants that the state government is fully committed to supporting the digitisation of Primary Healthcare facilities as it will improve data accuracy and enhance healthcare services.
At the commissioning of the DHIS digitalisation training, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, who was represented by Gani Audu, Edo State Chief of Staff, distributed laptops and iPads to various local government areas. The event also featured the handover of two vehicles to the IMPACT Project to support its operations.
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