- “We also know most doctors have relocated to US and other countries; we can still use their service because they are still registered with the Ghana Health Service.”
The government has begun piloting telemedicine at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital as part of effort to kickstart a nationwide rollout.
Telemedicine allows health-care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using telecommunication technology.
As part of the initiative, an app called “GHlive Doctor” has also been launched to assist patients to conveniently access medical services remotely and also to help solve the issue of overcrowding at the hospitals following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday 26 April, Yaw Karikari, chief executive officer of KAYD Systems, vendor of the Ghlivedoctor app, said the initiative will help reduce the doctor-to-patient ratio in the country.
“Since we started this pilot, we have had patients calling in from Takoradi, so now the physical location is no more a barrier,” he said.
Karikari added: “We also know most doctors have relocated to US and other countries; we can still use their service because they are still registered with the Ghana Health Service.”
About 750 patients are being targeted for the pilot of the initiative at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.
About Ghlivedoctor
The Ghlivedoctor app seeks to enhance physician-to-patient ratios, alleviate financial burden and enhance postcare with its ability to access medical records everywhere.
The app can be downloaded on the Android and iOS playstores by typing in ghlivedoctor. You then fill out patient details, check the acceptance and you’re in the app.
Experts believe the App has the potential to give 60% of Africa’s population living in rural areas access to professional health care and assistance by qualified physicians.
Fred Dzakpata
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