%0 Journal Article
%T Abia State Telehealth Initiative: A Novel Ingenuity
%A V. I. Okezie
%A G. J. Ahukannah
%A O. Onuka
%A S. U. Omas
%A C. Kanu
%A A. Tega
%A A. Macaulay
%A A. Folu
%J E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks
%P 75-82
%@ 2167-9525
%D 2021
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/etsn.2021.103004
%X In Nigeria, Universal health coverage has been sub-optimal due to limited access and inequality. This is worsened by poor health-seeking behavior due to out-of-pocket expenditure health system financing being practiced by a greater percentage of the population. However, leveraging on the increasing population of Nigerian¡¯s using communication technologies provides a viable and robust platform for improving patient¡¯s care. Consequently, tele-health initiative provides a complementary approach to improving access to quality health and universal health system coverage. Tele-health initiative is Abia state¡¯s input in progressing the Universal Health Coverage mandate of the Federal Government of Nigeria, anchored on the e-Health policy of Nigeria, after its adoption at the 58th NCH in Sokoto in 2016, of which Abia became the pioneer state for the Project. Abia state¡¯s telecommunication market caters to almost 3.5 million active subscribers, making it the single largest provider of services in the state. Objective: The project is designed to ascertain the impact of the tele-health initiative on healthcare service coverage in Abia State. Methodology: This is a descriptive study with the quantitative and qualitative arm. The study was conducted in all the seventeen local government areas in the State. Result: 29,488 incoming calls were related to general health inquiries about basic information, counseling, and support that improved callers¡¯ knowledge and attitude towards their health, concerns, and symptoms. Also, 66.8% of all calls (19,382) were for routine health information, complaints on mild everyday symptoms, chronic disease management, and follow-up care. About 29.6% of total calls (8751) were made by persons seeking information on socially stigmatizing topics and conditions.
%K Tele-Health
%K Support Initiative
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=110544