FG inaugurates ‘NigComHealth’ to improve health sector

The Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on Monday inaugurated “NigComHealth’ platform to transform the healthcare sector in the country.

The Minister, Prof. Isa Pantami, unveiled the Nigeria Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited virtual health platform (NigComHealth) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports NigComHealth is a telehealth service which provides a platform for Nigerians to book appointments, receive medical advice or recommendation and consult with physicians and other healthcare practitioners from their homes, offices schools and localities.

Represented by his Chief of staff, Prof. Sahalu Junaid,Pantami said the platform would promote a more efficient and effective healthcare system that could be accessible to all Nigerians.

” This will also improve the capacity of our healthcare professionals to deliver quality services, by leveraging technology to reach out to patients in the remote areas with less cost and physical stress.

“NigComHealth is a significant milestone in our efforts to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.

” This platform will enable us to harness the benefits of technology and access a broader range of doctors and medical experts to deliver quality healthcare services, thereby ensuring that every Nigerian can access the care they need, when they need it,” Pantami said.

He said that NigComHealth would bridge the gap in healthcare access and promoting health equity across the country.

The minister also said access to the services would not only reduce the burden of physical hospital visits but also enhance the overall quality of healthcare services for citizens.

He said that the launch of NigComHealth aligns with the Federal Government’s vision to promote digital transformation and boost economic activities in Nigeria.

Pantami commended the private sector partners who had collaborated with the government to make NigComHealth a reality.

” I also urge all Nigerians to embrace this service and take advantage of the opportunities it presents to achieve our goal of promoting health equity throughout the country.

” Let us work together to promote a healthier Nigeria through digital transformation,” Pantami said.

The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff, said the NigComHealth would be a changer in improving health outcomes, especially in underserved and remote areas.

“The technology has been developed with the vision and strategic objective of having over 80 Federal and state owned government hospitals coexist on the platform.

” And the platform is also meant to provide digital health services to 1.7 million public sector workers and their families in Nigeria,” he said.

FG unveils gender, environmental reporting framework for extractive industries

The Federal Government on Tuesday launched Gender and Environmental Reporting Frameworks in Extractive Industries to meet Nigeria’s reporting obligation to the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed unveiled the frameworks in Abuja during her visit to the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) permanent office.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the frameworks were developed by NEITI in line with global EITI requirements and standards to resolve lingering issues and enhance reporting in areas of gender and environment in the oil, gas and mining sectors.

She said the frameworks would help in resolving lingering negative impact of oil, gas and mineral exploration in host communities, and reduce widening gender disparity in extractive industries.

The minister, who served as NEITI’s Executive Secretary before being appointed in 2015 as a member of the cabinet, lauded NEITI’s management’s achievements, adding that the frameworks represented another milestone recorded by NEITI.

She commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment towards strengthening Nigeria’s EITI as evident in the government’s prioritisation of NEITI in allocating resources to enable the agency execute its role in the industry.

“From its initial mandate to disclose extractive output and revenue, to data mainstreaming, contracts and beneficial ownership disclosure and currently, gender and environmental reporting and energy transition, I have been part of the process,” she said.