The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Anambra, have advocated for telemedicine following the rising insecurity in the country.
The association made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Health Week in Nnewi on Wednesday.
The theme of the AGM was “Future Trends In Healthcare: Preparing For Tomorrow’s Challenges.”
Dr Chiemezie Agbanu, President of ARD-NAUTH said the need had become necessary for doctors and patients to interact more without physically coming together through telemedicine practice.
He said this would enable the patient to access the doctor and receive health services through communication technology with unnecessary exposure to the threat of insecurity.
“One of the challenges we have in the country today is insecurity, and one of the future trends in medical practice is telemedicine like our theme said.
“With telemedicine, doctors can talk to their patients and render some level of services without necessarily coming together physically; this will help reduce the risk of insecurity to both doctors and patients.
“Other future trends in medicine are the use of Artificial Intelligence and Robots in surgery. We know we are not there yet but we hope that the level of infrastructure will be put in place by the government to enhance efficiency in the sector,” he said.
Earlier in his remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ezeama, said no doctor would function optimally in an environment where he was not sure of returning safely after work.
Ezeama, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at NAUTH, described resident doctors as critical components of the healthcare delivery chain as a link between students and consultants.
He urged the doctors to stand together as a unit for better collective interest as well as remain active and cordial relationship with their senior colleagues.
In his good will message, the Chief Medical Director of NAUTH, Prof. Joseph Ugboaja said the theme of the event was apt as it would help to leverage available innovations in view of the emerging challenges in the nation’s healthcare system.
Ugboaja, who was represented by a Chief Medical Adviser said NAUTH, Dr Dubem Onyejiaka was appreciative of the collaboration and tireless effort of the resident doctors towards achieving its commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.
The CMD said he was committed to the welfare of ARD members through payment and upgrade of areas, provision of conducive working environment, allocation of space for ARD lounge and ensuring unhindered career progression,” he said.
The Health Week continues with research symposium, medical outreach, Annual General Meeting and election of a new executive committee.
NAN
