Akpabio Urges ICT Application In Hospitals

The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godwill Akpabio has called on healthcare institutions in Nigeria to apply Information Communication Technology [ICT] diligently to reduce patients waiting time in hospitals.

The governor, made the call on  Wednesday  in Uyo while inaugurating the South-South zonal office of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria [PCN].

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Patrick Ekpotu, noted that in emergency cases “a minute could determine death or recovery.”

“1 urge everyone in the health sector to keep abreast with the latest trends in specialized medical fields and adapt to these trends so that our citizens will have the best medical treatment in the world,” Akpabio said.

He expressed hope that the zonal pharmacist office in Uyo will control procedures for the practice of pharmacy in the South-South region.

The governor commended the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria for its support to improved healthcare in Nigeria and siting of its zonal office in Akwa Ibom.

“We are not yet there, but we believe that the journey has commenced and in the very near future we will arrive at the junction where no man or woman will die an avoidable death in our land.”

“And we need your cooperation, as key professionals in this area to get to that junction sooner than later,” Akpabio noted.

In his speech, the chairman, Governing Council of PCN, Prof. Elijah Sokomba, noted that the opening of the zonal office in Uyo will further boost regulation and control of pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria.

Sokomba urged the South-South people to avail themselves of the siting of the zonal office to enhance healthcare delivery in the geo-political zone.

He appealed to the Akwa Ibom government to assist in the furnishing of the new PCN zonal office.

The ceremony witnessed goodwill messages from the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Louisa Ukpeh and the former Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Uyo, Prof. Etienne Essien.