The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Chapter held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) Scientific Conference and Award ceremony in Awka.
The theme of the AGM is “From Drain To Gain: Strategies For Building Nigerian Health Workforce Capacity”.
The NMA gave an award of recognition to Dr Nonye Soludo, wife of the governor of Anambra.
Other awardees are Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Dr Afam Obidike, Commissioner for Health.
Organisers recognised Soludo for her “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo” project, which promotes fitness and nutrition.Tl
They honoured Ikechebelu for his contributions to the field of medicine.
They also honoured Dr. Afam Obidike for his performance as an administrator who helped build a robust healthcare system in the state.
Technology and Healthcare
Prof. Walter Nwafia, an Environmentalist and Clinical Physiologist, delivered the lecture.
Nwafia said effective application of technology in medical practice could bridge the manpower gap in the health sector of Nigeria.
Nwafia lectures in the Faculty of Medicine, Chukwuma Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam.
He said Nigeria health sector was severely broken by brain drain.
According to him, the health sector needs serious and urgent redemption.
“The factors responsible for outward migration including remuneration and insecurity and they should be addressed.
“I also urge senior doctors to bond more with their mentees, build greater work ethics among them.
“NMA should use its power to secure better deals for members in terms of remuneration and appointments,” he said.
Also, Dr Olugbenga Ogunfowora recommended the use technology and Artificial Intelligence assisted devices in health facilities.
According to him, they can help deliver quality and timely healthcare services efficiently.
Ogunfowora said with an AI chatbox on a computer at a PHC, a doctor could examine a patient and administer treatment.
He spoke on ‘The Digital Doctor: Embracing Telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence and Other Digital Health Tools’.
“With technology Nigerian doctors in foreign countries can treat patients in their villages and monitor progress
“That is how brain drain can be converted to brain gain,” he said.
Dr Princeton Okam, Chairman, NMA, Anambra said the event was an opportunity for stakeholders to interface on issues affecting the healthcare system.
Okam lauded Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for introducing Telemedicine innovation in Anambra.
He promised that doctors would continue to support the administration to achieve quality healthcare delivery system for Anambra.
He also congratulated the awardees
On his part, Soludo said the theme of the event was apt as brain drain had become a serious cause for concern for government.
Soludo, who was represented by Obidike, said the government was taking deliberate steps to bridge the gap through technology.
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