The Lagos State Government has inaugurated online medical care for residents of the state to reduce their chances of contracting the COVID-19.
The General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the initiative which was termed EKO TELEMED would enable the residents of the state to have access to highly trained and experienced medical doctors for non-emergency primary care advice via voice or video call without going out from their homes.
Zamba noted that the free toll line 08000EKOMED (08000356633) would grant the residents direct access to non-emergency primary care via voice or video call and speak with trained medical doctors in any of the four major languages in the state.
According to Zamba, the residents would be referred to designated and empanelled health care providers under the Lagos State Health Scheme if further medical treatment was needed after due consultation.
She said, “This project would increase access to care, reduce the challenge of travel to hospitals in this period of restricted movements, except for emergencies. It would also create an entry point for the quicker evacuation of confirmed and severely ill suspected COVID-19 cases to the designated treatment facility and this will ensure better health outcomes for affected citizens, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the pandemic.
“The EKO TELEMED marks a new beginning in the provision of medical consultation and services for the Lagos State Health Scheme and I want to appeal to the residents in the state to tap into the opportunity for the Lagos State Government to further protect their lives and family members as well as contain the spread of the virus.”
Zamba urged residents to ensure social distancing and obey the lockdown order to the letter to contain the virus.
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